Steroido[2. 3-d]isoxazoles and preparation thereof



United States Patent 3,135,743 STERlD0[2.3-d]ISOXAZOLES AND PREPARATION THEREOF Raymond 0. Clinton, East Greenbush, and Andrew John Manson, North Greenbush, N.Y., assignors to Sterling Drug Inn, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed June 29, 1960, Ser. No. 39,458 32 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) This invention relates to heterocyclic substituted steroids, and in particular it is concerned with steroido[2.3- d]isoxazoles and the preparation thereof.

It has been found that new and useful compounds are produced when an isoxazole ring is fused through its 4- and -positions to the 2- and 3-positions, respectively, of a steroid nucleus, said steroid having from seventeen to about twenty-three carbon atoms exclusive of ester radicals.

The ring structure of the compounds of the invention is represented by the following structure:

The exact nature of the steroid moiety is not critical, and it can be derived from any steroid of the general type known to exhibit hormonal or other pharmacological or endocrinological properties. Such steroid moieties have from seventeen to about twenty-three carbon atoms, not counting carbon content which may be provided by esterified hydroxy groups. Esterified hydroXy-steroids are included within the scope of the invention, but the carbon content contributed by the acid moiety of the ester is not considered part of the essential carbon content of the steroid.

The steroid moiety can be any member of the estrane, l8-norestrane, androstane, etiocholane, pregnane or allopregnane series. The foregoing can contain varying degrees of unsaturation and a variety of substituents in the form of hydrocarbon radicals or functional groups conventionally employed in the steroid art. Representative of the steroid moieties which make up the compounds of the invention are those having at position 17 a hydroxy, acyloxy, oxo, or both a hydroxy and a lower-alkyl radical, characteristic of the androgenic and anabolic steroids; or a lower-alkenyl, lower-alkynyl, acetyl, hydroxyacetyl, 1,2-dihydroxyethyl, l-hydroxyethyl, and the like radicals, characteristic of the progestational and adrenal cortical steroids. The steroid moiety can also have one or more substituents at other positions of the nucleus, for example, hydroxy, acyloxy, or 0x0 radicals at positions 6, 7, 11, 12, 14 or 16; halogen atoms, preferably fiuorine, chlorine or bromine, for example, at the 4-, 6-, 7-, 9-, l2-, l6-, 17- or 2l-positions; and lower-alkyl groups, for example, at the 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 11- or 16-positions. The steroid moiety can also have one or more double bonds, especially at the 4,5- and/or 1,2- and/or 6,7-positions. The steroid moiety usually possesses angular methyl groups at C and C although 18- and 19- norsteroids and 18,19-bisnorsteroids, lacking one or both of the angular methyl groups at C and C10, respectively, are also representative steroids.

3,135,?43 ?atented June 2, 1964 ice The 18,19-bisnorsteroid, 18,19-norsteroid and normal steroid moieties in the compounds of the invention contain, respectively, seventeen, eighteen and nineteen carbon atoms plus any carbon content which may be provided by one or more nuclearly substituted carbon containing radicals, up to and including a total of about twenty-three carbon atoms, exclusive of ester radicals.

When acyloxy radicals are present in the steroid moiety, the acyl radicals are preferably derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms, conventionally employed in the steroid art, and having a molecular weight less than about 200. Representative of the acyl radicals which can be present are lower-alkanoyl radicals, e.g., formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, caproyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl, trimethylacetyl, and the like; carboxy-lower-alkanoyl radicals, e.g., succinyl (ficarboxypropionyl); cycloalkyl-lower-alkanoyl radicals, e.g., S-cyclopentylpropionyl, ,8-cyclohexylpropionyl, and the like; monocarbocyclic aroyl radicals, e.g., benzoyl, ptoluyl, p-nitrobenzoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl, and the like; monocarbocyclic aryl-lower-alkanoyl or -alkenoyl radicals, such as phenylacetyl, B-phenylpropionyl, cinnamoyl, and the like; and monocarbocyclic aryloxylower-alkanoyl radicals, such as p-chlorophenoxyacetyl, and the like. Esters of inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid are also contemplated.

The compounds of the invention are prepared by reacting a 2-(l-hydroxyalkylidene)-3-oXo-steroid with hydroxylamine or an acid-addition salt thereof according to the following equation:

(I) (II) In the above general Formulas I and H, Q represents the remaining portion of the steroid moiety described above. In the above Formulas I and II, R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower-alkyl radical, the latter having preferably from one to about four carbon atoms, thus including such groups as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and the like.

The condensation of the hydroxylamine with a 2-hydroxyalkylidene-3-oxo-steroid is carried out by heating said steroid with at least one molar equivalent of hydroxylamine or acid-addition salt thereof in an inert solvent at a temperature between about 50 C. and C. The inert solvent is preferably a lower-alkanol, e.g., methanol, or ethanol, or a lower-alkanoic acid, e.g., acetic acid or propionic acid, or a mixture of an alcohol and an acid. The reaction is catalyzed by the presence of a weak or moderate acid such as acetic acid, although if a strong acid is present it may cause dehydration of a hydroxy group in the 17-position, followed by deep-seated rearrangement of the steroid nucleus. In the event an acid-addition salt of hydroxylamine, such as the hydrochloride, is used, an approximately equivalent amount of a salt of a strong base and a weak acid, e.g., sodium acetate, is added to convert the strong acid of addition to a weak acid in order to prevent dehydration and rearrangement. l7-hydroxy groups can also be protected by esterification prior to isoxazole formation.

It the steroid moiety has a double bond already present in the 1,2-position, the essential steroid intermediate is a 2-formyl-A -steroid (III; R is H) or a 2-lower-alkacan be prepared by dehydrogenation of the correspondrepresentative of the invention are carboxylic acid esters,

in the 4,5-position and the other in the 6,7-position (VII): "5

' mi noyl-n -steroid (III; R is lower-alkyl). represented by the following equation:

(III) (IV) The intermediate 2-acyl-A -steroid (III) can be prepared by bromination or chlorination of a 2-acy1 steroid The reaction is (I) in the 2-position, followed by dehydrohalogenation estrogens (estratriene compounds), viz.:

mg A -l9-norsteroido-isoxazole V by conventional procedures, as by heating with palladium-on-carbon catalyst.

A particularly preferred group of compounds, derived from readily available starting materials, comprises those having the structural formula stricted to hydroxy when R represents hydrogen, or a lower-alkyl, loWer-alkenyl or lower-alkynyl radical. Also acid-addition salts and quaternary ammonium salts of the foregoing compounds, as well as those having one double bond in the 4,5-position (VI), or two double bonds, one

In the-abovegeneral Formulas V, VI and VII, R, when I it represents a lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl, or lower-alkynyl radical, has from one to about four carbon atoms and may be straight or branched, and thus includes such groups dene) -3-oXo-steroid, viz.

R! Y I Z it Y H0O (VIII) 7 or the corresponding compounds where double bonds-are present in the 4,5- or the 4,5- and 6,7-positions, with hydroxylamine or an acid-addition salt thereof; R, R, X, Z, Y and Y have the same meanings given above. When the steroid moiety contains oxo groups in addition to the one at position 3, they can be protected as a ketal deriva tive to prevent side reactions with the hydroxylamine (oxime formation). For example, when compounds in which R represents acetyl or hydroxyacetyl are desired,

' these radicals can be ketalized by known methods, e.g.,

with ethylene glycol, prior to introduction of the hydroxyalkylidene radical at the 2-position and reaction with hydroxylamine. It has been found, however, that 3,20- dioXo-steroids bearing hydroxy groups at the 17- and 21- positions can be selectively formylated in the 2-position without protecting the 20-oxo group by ketalization.

The 20-monoketals of 3,20-dioxo-steroids are prepared from the 3,20-diketals by selective hydrolysis by known methods, e.g.,- by allowing the diketal to stand at room temperature in acetone solution containing a trace of p-toluenesulfonic acid. 'The ketal groups are readily cleaved by dilute acid after the condensation with hydroxylamine. An oxo group at the ll-position is relatively unreactive and need not be protected before reaction with hydroxylamine.

In addition to the other uses set forth below, the compounds of the invention are useful as intermediates .in the preparation of diiierent species within the scope of the invention by introduction of new groups or'alteration of groups already present in the steroid'nucleus by known methods. For example, a steroido[2.3-d]isoxazole having a hydroxy group in the 17-position of the steroid nucleus '(V, VI orVII; R is H, Z is OH) can be oxidized to the corresponding 17-oxo compound. As another instance, a

5 steroido[2.3-d]isoxazole having a l-hydroxyethyl radical Ar -steroid or a 3-oXo-A -steroid with a lower-alkyl loweralkanoate, RCOOR, wherein R is hydrogen or loweralkyl and R is lower-alkyl, in the presence of a strong The strong base is base under anhydrous conditions. preferably an alkali metal lower-alkoxide or amide (cf. Ruzicka U.S.'Patent 2,281,622), or hydride. An acyl group enters the 2-position with elimination of a molecule of an alcohol as follows:

RCOOR In the case wherein the radical R is lower-alkyl an alternative and preferred method comprises treating the 3-oxosteroid with a lower-alkanoic acid anhydride in the pres ence of boron trifluoride. Steroids containing a 17-hydroxy group, particularly the l7-hydroxy-l7-alkyl steroids, can be protected against dehydration by prior esterification.

Although, by analogy with halogenation procedures, it would be expected that ring A saturated compounds of the etiocholane series (ring juncture A/B cis) would form 4-hydroxyalkylidene derivatives rather than Z-hydroxyalkylidene derivatives, it has been found that the latter are produced preponderantly. This was proved by preparing a n -steroido[3,2-c1pyrazole from a Z-hydroxymethylenesteroid, according to the method described in the copending application of R. 0. Clinton, Serial No. 723,148, filed March 24, 1958, hydrogenating the double bond to produce a mixture of saturated steroido[3.2-c] pyrazoles of the androstane and etiocholane series, and showing that the etiocholane isomer was identical with that produced by direct formation of the pyrazole from the hydroxymethylene derivative of the parent etiocholane compound. If the hydroxymethylene group had entered the 4-position, the resulting prazole would have been fused to the 3,4- position of the steroid nucleus and would have been difierent from the etiocholanopyrazole obtained by hydrogenation of the M-compound. Therefore, etiocholane as well as androstane compounds are useful as starting materials in the preparation of the compounds of the invention.

lsoxazoles are weakly basic substances and will form acid-addition salts upon addition of strong acids and quaternary ammonium salts upon addition of esters of strong acids.

The quaternary ammonium salts of the compounds of the invention are prepared by causing a steroido[3.2-d]- isoxazole to react with an ester of a strong inorganic or organic sulfonic acid, said ester preferably having a molecular weight less than about 200. A particularly preferred class of esters, because of their ready availability, are lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and lower-aralkyl esters, for example, methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide, butyl bromide, allyl bromide, methyl sulfate, methyl benzenesulfonate, methyl p-toluene-sulfonate, benzyl chloride, o-chlorobenzyl chloride, and the like. The reaction of the steroido[2.3-d]isoxazole and the quaternizing agent takes place upon simple admixture of the components, preferably in the presence of an inert organic solvent, although heating may be applied to accelerate the reaction.

The acid-addition and quaternary ammonium salts preferably have anions which are pharmacologically acceptable, that is, the anions do not appreciably increase the toxicity of the compound as a whole toward animal organisms. Such anions include, for example, the chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate or acid sulfate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, and the like. Salts having toxic anions are, however, useful in that they serve as characterizing derivatives of the steroido[2.3-d1isoxazoles, and serve as intermediates for non-tonic quaternary salts by conventional ion exchange reactions. All acid-addition salts, regardless of the nature of the anions, are useful as intermediates in the purification of the free bases.

Endocrinological studies of the compounds of the invention have shown that they possess useful metabolic, hormonal and anti-hormonal properties. In particular, they exhibit one or more of the following activities: anabolic, androgenic, pituitary inhibiting, estrogenic, progestetional and adrenal cortical.

The compounds of the invention further possess advantages in being anabolic (myotrophic and nitrogen retentive) at dose levels at which they do not shown an appreciable degree of sex hormonal properties. For example, 17,8-hydroxy-l7a-methyl 4 androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole was found to have a myotrophic activity in rats about one-fourth to one-half that of testosterone propionate upon subcutaneous injection while having an androgenic activity only about one-eighth that of testosterone propionate. Anabolic agents are useful in the alleviation of conditions arising from poor nitrogen utilization in various debilitating diseases by accelerating the growth of new healthy tissue.

Generally speaking, the common anabolic agents possess a moderate to high degree of androgenic activity and their us in females leads to undesirable side-effects such as virilism and hirsutism. Therefore, the separation of these activities, as found in the compounds of the present invention, which have high anabolic but low androgenic activities, is a highly desirable feature.

The compounds of the invention can be prepared for use by dispersing them in an aqueous suspension or by dissolving them in a pharmacologically acceptable oil or oil-water emulsion for parenteral administration; or by incorporation in tablet form with excipients for oral administration.

The structure of the compounds of the invention was established by the mode of synthesis, their ultraviolet and infrared spectra, and by the fact that the values found upon elementary analysis corresponded with the values calculated for the assigned structures. Further evidence is provided by the fact that the steroido[2.3-d]isoxazoles of the invention are cleaved by strong base to produce 2- cyano-3-oxo-steroids (IX) (IX) This is analogous to the known cyclohexano[d]isoxazole which is produced as the major product of the reaction of Z-hydroxymethylenecyclohexanone and hydroxylamine, and is cleaved by base to produce 2-cyanocyclohexanone. If the hydroxylamine and Z-hydroxymethylene steroid had reacted in reverse fashion, the resulting product, a steroido[3.2-c]isoxazole (X), would be stable to base as it is known that cyclohexano[c]isoxazole is stable to base. In the 2-cyano-3-oxo-steroids (IX), the Z-cyano group assumes the int-configuration in steroids of the androstane series and in A and A -steroids, whereas it assumes the B-configuration in steroids of the etiocholane series. The 2-cyano-3-oXo-steroids are also within the purview of the invention and have been found to possess hormonal properties, for example, anabolic and adrenal inhibiting activities.

The following examples will further illustrate the invention without the latter being limited thereby.

Example 1 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-ahdrosten 17,8- 0l-3-one.To a dry 2 liter, 3-necked flask, fitted with a stopper, gas outlet stopcock and a condenser arranged for distillation into a receiver equipped with a calcium chloride tube, was added a solution of 50.0 g. (0.165 mole) of l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17,6-01-3-one in 1200 ml. of benzene. A portion of the benzene (200 ml.) was removed by distillation to insure anhydrous conditions. The distillation apparatus was replaced with an outlet tube connected to a gas trap which consisted of a U-tube filled with an amount of mercury that would allow the escape of any positive pressure built up in the reaction flask. A slow stream of nitrogen was introduced into the reaction flask through the gas outlet stopcock. Sodium hydride (10.0 g., 0.42 mole) and 35 ml. (0.43 mole) of ethyl formate, previously dried over phosphorus pentoxide and distilled, were added. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for five days, after which time an orange gel had formed and no further evolution of gas could be observed. The reaction flask was fitted with a mechanical stirrer, and 25 ml. of methyl alcohol was carefully added with stirring to decompose excess sodium hydride.- The reaction mixture was poured into 1500 ml. of water and shaken. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether, cooled to ice bath temperature and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid containing ice. The solid product was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried at 60 C. for twenty-four hours in vacuo, giving 49.1 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androstenl7fi-ol-3-on'e. A sample when recrystallized. from a methanol-water mixture had the MP. 178.5-180" 'C. (corn), [u] =+l4.O (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxima at 252 and 307 mu (E=l2,000 and 6,030). x I

Antzlysis-Calcd. for C l-1 C, 76.32; H, 9.15. Found: C, 76.36; H, 9.19.

(b) 175 Hydroxy 17oz methyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d]

isoxazole [Vl; R is H, R is CH X'is H Z is OH, Y and:

tion, the reaction mixture gave a negative ferric chloride test. Most of the ethanol and acetic acid were removed by distillation in' vacuo, 300 ml. of water and 300 ml. of

ether were added to the concentrate, and the mixture was shaken. The layers were separated, the aqueous layer extracted with fresh ether, and the combined ether extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue was crystallized by trituration with ether, and the crystals were collected by filtration, washed with hexane and dried, giving 12.0 g., 164-175" C. (uncorr.). The mother liquors were Concentrated to dryness and dissolved in a minimum amount of acetone, whereupon a second cropwas obtained, 2.5 g.,- M.P. 164-175 C. (uncorr.). The two crops were combined, dissolved in ethyl acetate, decolorized with activated chare f coal, and recovered by concentration, yielding 11.8 g. of 17,8 hydroxy l7oz-methyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole,

M.P. 177.0179.6 C. (corn) after a second recrystallization from acetone; [a] =+108.8i0,3 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 m (E=11,900).

AnalysisCalcd. for C H NO C, 77.02; H, 8.93; O, 9.77. Found: C, 76.90; H, 8.77; O, 9.80. g V

When measured by its effect upon the growth of the levator aui muscle in the rat, 175-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4- androsteno[2.3- d]isoxazole was found to have a myotrophic activity about one-fourth to one-half that of testosterone propionate upon subcutaneous administration while having an androgenic activity only about one-eighth that of testosterone propionate. In nitrogen retention studies in the rat, another measure of anabolic activity, this compound was found to be about one-fourth as active as testosterone propionate.

176 4 hydroxy-17a-methyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d] isoxazole can be caused to react with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid or methanesulfonic acid to give 100 ml. of 5% sodium hydroxide was added. The latter mixture was shaken, and the ether layer was separated, washed three times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and once with water. The combined aqueous layers and undissolved material was cooled'to 10 C. and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid containing ice. .The acidified mixture was extracted twice with'ethyl acetate,

, and the extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, saturated with nitrogen'and concentrated in vacuo using a stream of nitrogen. The residue was recrystallized twice from an'ether-hexane'mixture and dried at 95 C. in vvacuo for eight hours to give 2a-cyano-l7a-methyl-4- androsten-17B-ol-3-one, MP. 167.2-171.0 C. (corn), [ix] =-|-93.0:0.1 1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxima at 243 and 310 (E=14,600 and 465).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.02; H, 8.93;

V O, 9.77. Found: C, 76.98; H, 8.88; O, 9.90.

0l-3-0ne was prepared from 17.19 g. of 17a-ethyl-4-anthe hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate (or bisulfate) or methanesulfonate salt, respectively.

17o hydroxy-17cz-rnethyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole can be caused to react with methyl iodide, ethyl bromide, allyl bromide, methyl sulfate or benzyl chloride to give the methiodide, ethobromide, allobromide, methosulfate or benzochloride salt, respectively. 7

(0) 2oz cyano-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-I7,8-0l-3-0ne. A solution of 5.00 g. of 17,8-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole in 500 ml. of absolute ether was added to a solution of sodium methoxide prepared from 0.5 gyo'f sodium and 5 ml. of absolutemethanol. The

mixture was shaken for one hour, poured into water and Example 2 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 17a-ethyl-4-mtdrosten-17t?- drosten-l7/8-ol-3-one, 17 ml. of ethyl formate and 5 g. of sodium hydride in 350 ml. of benzene according to the manipulative'procedure described above in Example 1, pait (a). The acidic product was obtained in the form of a gum which was converted to its sodium salt and used directly in the next reaction without further purification.

(11) ]75 hydroxy- 17oz ethyl 4-andr0sten0[2.3-d] isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is C H ,.X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared from 7.32 g. of thesodium salt of 'Z-hydroXymethylene-I7a-ethyl-4-androsten-17/3-01- 3-one, 2.1 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 5 g. of

sodium acetate trihydrate and 50 ml. of acetic acid ac-' cording to the manipulative procedure described abovein Example 1, part (b). The crude product was obtained in the form of a brown resin which was chromatographed on a column of silica gel in benzenesolution. The column was eluted with benzene containing increasing amounts of ether, and 10% ether brought out 4.10 g. of l7B-hydroxy 17a ethyl 4 androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazo1e, M.P. l45'.0-148.2 C. (corn) after recrystallization successively froman ethyl acetate-ether mixture, benzene, and a henzene-ethyl acetate mixture and drying at 90400 C. and 20 for eight hours, [a] =+94.8:0.0 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 286 my. (E: 10,870).

Armiysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.37; H, 9.15;

0, 9,37. Found: C, 77.33; H, 9.27; O, 9.33.

175 hydroxy 17oc-ethy1 4-androsteno[2;3-d]isoxazole Was found to possess pituitary inhibitory activity.

Example 3 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene J7u-vinyl-4-andr0sten-17/3- 0l-3-0ne.A mixture of 12.04 g. of 17u-vinyl-4-anrosten-17fi-ol-3-one, 12 ml. of ethyl formate and 4.0 g.

of sodium hydride in 300 ml. of benzene was kept at room temperature for three days under a nitrogen atmosphere. After this time about 2 g. of sodium methoxide was added and the reaction mixture allowed to stand for seven days longer. The reaction mixture was worked up according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a), giving 11.46 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene 17a vinyl-4-androsten-17/3-01-3 -one in semicrystalline form.

b) '17,8-hydroxy-J7ct-vinyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d] isoxazole [VI; R is H, R isCH=CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH ].,1.01 g. of sodium acetate and 0.95 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in'5 ml. of water was added to a solution of 4.45 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-vinyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in about ml.

of ethanol, and the mixture was heated on a steam bath for two hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, and the product was extracted with ether. The ether extracts were dried and concentrated and the residue was recrystallized first from aqueous methanol and then from an ethyl acetate-hexane mixture to give 17fi-hydroxy 17oz vinyl-4-androsteno[2,3-d]isoxazole, M1. 1392-1452 C. (corn), [u] =-[-82.li0.1 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 mp. (E: 10,600).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.84; H, 8.61; O, 9.43. Found: C, 77.82; H, 8.90; O, 9.15.

Example 4 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-4-andr0sten-17l3-0l-3-0ne was prepared from 25 g. of testosterone, 7.5 g. of sodium hydride and 25 m1. of ethyl formate in 500 ml. of dry benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). There was thus obtained 21.63 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4-androsten- 17,8-ol-3-one in crystalline form.

(12) 1718 propionoxy 4 androstenoiZ.S-djisoxazole [VI; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOCH CH Y and Y are CH ].A mixture of 4.0 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one, 1.3 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 180 ml. of propionic acid was stirred for about eight hours at 70-80 C. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, water was added to the residue, and the mixture was extracted with benzene. The benzene extracts were washed twice with sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ether, the solution decolorized with activated charcoal, filtered, and treated with methanol to cause crystallization or" the product. There was thus obtained 2.1 g. of 17B-propionoxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d1isoxazole, M.P. 129.8-1336" C.(corr.) when recrystallized from ethyl acetate; [a] =+103.l- -0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 mu (E=l1,319).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 74.76; H, 8.46; O, 13.0. Found: C, 74.80; H, 8.26; O, 13.0.

17,6 propionoxy 4-androsteno[2.3-d1isoxazole was found to possess myotrophic activity accompanied by a low degree of androgenic activity.

(c) Z7 3-hydroxy4-androsteno[2.3-d1is0xaz0le {V R and R are H, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared by carrying out the procedure described above in Example 4(b) in ethanol instead of propionic acid. It was obtained in the form of light brown crystals, M.P. 183.2184.2 C. (corn), [a] =+l22.8 (1% in 95% ethanol).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.64; H, 8.68; N, 4.47. Found: C, 76.95; H, 8.63; N, 4.56.

175 hydroxy 4 androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity (nitrogen retention) at 0.5 mg./kg./day in the rat.

(d) 17 3 (4 chloropheizoxyacetoxy)-4-androsteno- [2.3-d]isoxaz0le [Vl; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOCH OC H Cl-4, Y and Y are CH was prepared from 17B-hydroxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole and pchlorophenoxyacetyl chloride in pyridine. It was obtained in the form of straw-colored crystals, M.P. 172.8- 174.8" C. (corn), [a] =+92.9 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.--Calcd. for C H ClNO C, 69.77; H, 6.69; Cl, 7.36. Found: C, 69.72; H, 6.48; Cl, 7.48.

17,8- (4-chlorophenoxyacetoxy) 4 androsteno[2,3-d] isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity (nitrogen retention) at 1.0 mg./kg./day in the rat.

(e) 17 8 (3 qclohexylpropz'onoay)-4-rmdr0steno [2.3-dlisoxazole ['VI; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOCH CH C H Y and Y are CH was prepared from 17,8-hydroxy-4-androsteno [2.3-d]isoxazole md 73- cyclohexylpropionic anhydride in pyridine. It was obtained in the form of colorless crystals, Ml. 86.2-87.4 C. (corr.), [a] =+93.3 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Calcd. for C I-1 N0 5 C, 77.12; H, 9.15; N, 3.10; O, 10.63. Found: C, 77.36; H, 8.97; N, 3.34; O, 10.90.

Example 5 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-l 7 ot-m ethylandrostan-J 7&0!- 3-0ne.-A solution .of 20.7 g. of 17a-methylandrostan- 17B-ol-3-one in 500 ml. of benzene was added to sodium methoxide (prepared by dissolving 15.0 g. of sodium in 250 ml. of absolute methanol, concentrating the solution and drying the residue for one hour at l60 C. and 15 mm.). Ethyl formate (48.8 g.) was then added with stirring in a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for four hours longer at room temperature, allowed to stand for about fifteen hours, stirred for two hours longer and then poured into water. The reaction mixture was extracted with benzene, the aqueous layer warmed until clear, filtered and cooled below room temperature. Concentrated hydrochloric acid and ice were added to the filtrate until the mixture was acid to Congo red, and the product was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a volume of 80 ml., whereupon there sep arated 14.89 g. of 2-l1ydroxymethylene-17a-methylandrostan-17B-ol-3-one, Ml. l79183 C. (uncorr.). A sample when recrystallized from an ether-methanol mixture and dried at 80 C. in vacuo had the MP. 185- 1905 C. (corn), [a] =+35.9 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 282 mu (E=l0,300).

Analysis.C-a1cd. for C I-1 0 C, 75.86; H, 9.70. Found: C, 76.10; H, 9.53.

(b) l 7,8 hydroxy-J 7ix-methylandrostan0[2.3-d1is0xazole [V; R is H, R is CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH (rings A/B trans)].To a solution of 3.88 g.

of sodium acetate trihydrate in 5 ml. of water was added 2.09 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and methanol was added until solution resulted. This solution was added to a solution of 10.0 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene- 17a-methylandrostan-l7fi-ol-3-one in 200 ml. of absolute methanol, and the combined solution was refluxed for thirty minutes on a steam bath. The reaction mixture was concentrated, the residue extracted with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts were washed with ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts were washed with 5% hydrochloric acid, dried over anhydrous sodiurn sulfate and concentrated to a volume of 40 ml., whereupon there separated 2.82 g. of solid material, Ml. 222-234" C. (uncorr.). The mother liquors were concentrated to dryness and the residue recrystallized from ether to give 3.32 g. of solid product, MP. -168" C. (uncorr.). The latter was chromatographed on a column of silica gel in benzene solution, recrystallized from ethyl acetate and dried at 75 C. for twenty hours to give -hydroxy-l7a-methylandrostano{2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 171.4-173.2 C. (corn), [a] =+42.8i0.2 (1% in choroform); ultraviolet maximum at 228 me (E: 5,100).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.55; H, 9.48; O, 9.71. Found: C, 76.70; H, 9.55; O, 10.00.

17,8 hydroxy 17a methylandrostano[2.3 d]isoxazole was found to possess myotrophic activity accompanied by a low degree of androgenic activity.

17;? hydroxy 17a methylandrostano[2.3 d1isoxazole was rearanged with base to give Za-cyano-lh-methylandrostan-l7fl-ol-3-one, MP. 2524-2578 C. (corn), [a] =+5O.7 (0.5% in pyridine).

Example 6 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 17oz mezlzyletiocholan 17,8-0l-3-0ne.-To 4.8 g. (0.2 mole) of sodium hydride suspended in 75 ml. of benzene was added 3.2 g. (0.1 mole) of methanol. After the reaction subsided, the mixture was heated to boiling, cooled, and treated with a mixture of 20.8 g. (0.068 mole) of l7a-methyletiocholan-l7fl-ol-3-one, 75 ml. of benzene, and 21 ml. of ethyl formate. The mixture was stirred vigorously for four hours, mixed with 200 ml. of water, and the layers were separated. The water layer was washed with ether and then acidified with, hydrochloric acid. IThe resulting precipitate was collected by filtration and dried, giving 17.8 g. of 2-1ydroxymethylene-l7ot-methyletiocholan-17B- ol-3-one, suitable for use in the succeeding reaction. A sample was further purified by chromatography on 100 g. of silica gel in an equal volume mixture of ether and pentane. The resulting solid was recrystallized from ether, giving colorless needles, M.P. 205.621l.6 C. (corn), [e] ="-}10.3i0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxima at 285 and 347 mu (E=7,200 and 1,500). Analysis.-Calcd. for G i-1 C, 75.86; H, 9.70. Found: C, 75.69; H, 9.74. w

(b) 17,8 hydroxy 17a methyleti0chl0lan0[2.3 d]- z'soxazoleIV; R is H, R is CH X is H Z is CH, Y and Y are CH (Rings A/B cis) .A stirred mixture of 3.32 g. (0.01 .mole) of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyletiocholan-17fi-ol-3-one, 1.31 g. (0.016 mole) of fused sodium acetate, 1.01 g. (0.015 mole) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 100 ml. of acetic acid was heated at 60f C. for six and one-half hours. The mixture was cooled andpoured into 200 ml. of water, and the precipitated solid was collected and chromatographed on 100 g. of silica gel in ether containing 20% pentane. The

1.01 g. of 17fi-hydroxy-17ct-methyletiocholano[2.3-d]- isoxazole in the form of colorless needles, MP. 244.2

resulting product was recrystallized from acetone to give 7 form); ultraviolet maximum at 226 my (E=4,300).

Analysisr Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.54; H, 9.48; V

N, 4.25. Found: C, 76.65; H, 9.53; N, 4.23.

175 hydroxy 170a methyletiocholano[2.3 d]isoxazole was found topossess anti-estrogenic activity.

Example 7 (a) 2 hydroxymethyleize 17oz methyl 19 nomndr0stan-17 -0l-3-0ne was prepared from 4.35 g. of 17a- 'methyl-19-norandrostan-17,8-ol-3-one [Bowers et al., I. Am. Chem; Soc. 79, 4 556 (1957)], 10 ml. of ethyl formate and 2.40 g. of sodium hydride according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). There was thus obtained 4.35 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene- 17oc-*nethyl-l9-norandrostan-l7fl-ol-3-one, M.P. l90 200 C. (uncoru).

(12) 17,8 hydroxy 17a methyl 19 norandroslm10[2.3-d]is0xa20le [V; R is H, R is CH X is H Z is OH, Y is H, Y is CH ].A mixture of 2.39 g. of

2 hydroxymethylene 17a methyl 19 norandrostan-' .17fi-ol-3-one, 0.695 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 1.50 g. of sodium acetate trihydrate and 75 ml. of acetic acid was heated at 60 C. for five hours. The reaction mixture was poured into 850 ml. of water, and the precipitated solid was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried at 65 C. The latter product was recrystallized successively from aqueous methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone to give l7fi-hydroxy-l7a-methyl-19- norandrostano[2.3-d1isoxazole in the form. of colorless needles, M.P. 1976-1996 C. (corn). 7 Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.39; H, 8.98; O, 10.18. Found: C, 76.02; N, 9.15; O, 10.40.

17/? hydroxy 17cc methyl 19 norandrostano(2.3-

-d]isoxazole was found to have myotrophic activity accompanied by a low degree of androgenic activity.

7 Example 8 (a) 17cc 7 ethyl 2 hydroxymethyleneandrostan 17,8-

- 0l-3-0ne was prepared from 7.0 g. of l7cc-ethylandrostan- 17,8-ol-3-one, 8 ml. of ethyl formate and 3.8 g. of sodium methoxide in, 150 ml. of benzene according to the -manipulative procedure described above in Example 5, 'part (a). The productwas obtained in the form of the solid sodium salt and u ml. of methanol.

tion.

(5) 17,3 hydroxy 171x ethylandr0stan0[2.3-d] isox- 'azole [V; R is H, R is C 5 X is H 2. isOl-I, Y and Y are CH ].A mixture of 3.18 g. of the sodium salt of Z-hydroxymethylene-l7a-ethylandrostan-17,8-ol-3-one, 1.1 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 20 m1. of ethanol and 20 ml. of acetic acid was refluxed for two hours. The.

productwas separated and purified by chromatography on silica gel in benzene solution. The resulting product V was recrystallized from benzene and dried at 70 C. and 20 mm. for eight hours to give 17/3-hydroxy-17e-ethylandrostano[2.3-d]-isoxazole, M.P. 144;4-148.6 C. (corn), {36.2i0.2" (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 225 my (E=4,4l0).

Analysis.Calcd. for. C22H33NO2: c, 7692,11, 9.68;

N, 4.08. Found: C, 76.77; H, 9.51; N, 4.05.

Example 9 (a) Allopregnan 3, 3 ol 20 one 20 ethylene glycol ketaL-A mixture of 27.4 g. (0.086 mole) of allopregnan- 3B-0l-20-one, 33 ml. of ethylene glycol, 700 ml. of benzene and 1 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid was refluxed for 78 hours with a water separator in the system. The reaction mixture was then cooled and shaken with ml. of 2 N sodium hydroxide solution, and the resulting mixture was filtered to collect.20.5 g. of allopregnan-3fi-ol-ZO-one ZO-ethylene glycol ketal, M.P. 166-169 C. (uncorr.). When the latter was recrystallized from acetone, the compound was obtained in the form of colorless plates, M.P.

172.5- C. (uncorr.).

' jture Was added all at once a solution of 19.5 g. (0.054

mole) of allopregnan-IiB-ol-ZO-onc ZO-ethylene glycol ketal in 250 ml. of pyridine. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, diluted with 1 liter of hot benzene and filtered. The filtered solid was washed with 500 ml. of hot benzene,'and the combined filtrates were washed withfour 500 ml. portions of water followed by one 200 ml. portion of saturated sodium chloride solution. trated in vacuo, and the residue was triturated with 50 v Filtration of the mixture and concentration of the filtrate to avolume of 20 ml; gave asmall additional amount of solid product. The combined solid product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate using activated charcoal for decolorizing purposes to give 12.6 g. of allopregnane-3,20-dione ZO-ethylene glycol lretal in the form of blades and plates, M.P. 191.5 C. (uncorr.).

(c) 2-hydroxymethyleneallopregnane 7 3,20 dione 20- ethylene glycol ketal was prepared from 2.45 .g. of allopregnane-3,20-dione 20-ethylene glycol ketal, 20 ml. of ethyl formate, and sodium'methoxide (from 0.33'g. of

sodium and 15 ml. of methanol) in 70 ml. of pyridine according to the manipulative procedure described below in Example 10, part (0).. There was thus obtained'2.64

g. of 2-hydroxymethyleneallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 20- I ethylene glycolketal, used in the next reaction without further purification.

. a (d) 20-0x0all0pregnan0[23-11]isoxazole [V; R is H,

ml. of acetic acid was heated to 100 C. with stirring and then cooled to 60 C. 2-hydroxymethyleneallopregnane- 3,20-dione ZO-ethylene glycol ketal (7.67 g.) was then,

added, and the mixture was heated at 60-65 C. for seven hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and diluted with 1 liter of water, and the solid which precipitated was collected and warmed to 50 C. with 175 ml. 'of methanol and 2 ml. of 0.5 N hydrochloric acid for fifteen minutes. The latter mixture was cooled and filtered to give 3.3 g.

eddirectly in the next reac- V The organic solvent was then concen- 13 of solid product, M.P. 193-206 C. (uncorr.),- which was chromatographed on 100 g. of silica gel in a solvent mixture consisting of 30% ether, 10% methylene dichloride Example 10 (a) Pregnan-Su-ol-ZO-one ZO-cthylene glycol ketal was prepared from 30 g. of pregnan-3a-ol-20-one, 30 g. of ethylene glycol, 0.9 g. of l-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and 700 ml. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 9, part (a). The resulting product was recrystallized twice from methanol with a few drops of pyridine added to give 25.6 g. of pregnan-3a-o1-20-one ZO-ethylene glycol ketal in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 147.0-149.2 C. (corr.), [a] =+28.5iO.2 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Ca1cd. for C H O C, 76.19; H, 10.57. Found: C, 76.13; H, 10.75.

(b) Pregnane-3,20-dione ZO-etlzylene glycol ketal was prepared from 25.3 g. of pregnan-3'a-ol-20-one 20-ethylene glycol ketal, 33 g. of chromic oxide and 630 ml. of pyridine according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 9, part (b). The product was recrystallized from 400 ml. of methanol to give 17.5 g. of pregnane-3,20-dione 20-ethylene glycol ketal in the form of colorless leaflets, M.P. 169.8172.8 C. (corr.), [a] =+32.0i0.1 (1% chloroform).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O .C, 76.62; H, 10.07. Found: C, 76.93; H, 10.08.

(c) 2 hydroxymethylenepregnane 3,20 di01ze.- Sodium methoxide was prepared by dissolving 0.73 g. (0.03 mole) of sodium hydride in 30 ml. of methanol and removing the excess methanol at 100 C. in vacuo. To the sodium methoxide were added 100 ml. of pyridine, 5.45 g. (0.0151 mole) of pregnane-3,20-dione 20-ethylene glycol ketal and then 30 ml. of ethyl formate. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for twenty-one hours and concentrated to dryness in vacuo below 45 C. The residue was dissolved in water, and'carbon dioxide was passed into the solution until it reached a pH of 8. The precipitated product was collected by filtration and air dried, giving 5.9 g. of 2-hydroxymethy1enepregnane-3,20-dione ZO-ethylene glycol ketal, suitable for conversion to the isoxazole derivative.

A 1.5 g. portion of the Z-hydroxymethylenepregnane- 3,20-dione 20-ethy1ene glycol ketal was dissolved in 10 ml. of methanol, 2 ml. of 2 N hydrochloric acid was added, and the mixture was heated to boiling. The solution was set aside and was allowed to cool for one hour, diluted with 6 ml. of water, and the precipitated solid was collected by filtration and chromatographed on 25 g. of silica gel in pentane containing 25% ether. There was thus obtained 0.57 g. of 2-hydroxymethylenepregnane- 3,20-dione, M.P. 139.8146.0 C. when recrystallized from methanol, [a] =+114.2- -0.3 (1% ,chloroform).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 76.70; H, 9.36. Found: C, 76.65; H, 9.62.

' ((1) 20-oxopregnano[2.3-d1is0xazole [V; R is H, R is COCH X is H Z is H, Y and Y are CH (rings A/B cis)] was prepared from 2-hydroxymethylenepregnane- 3,20-dione 20-ethylene glycol ketal, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, sodium acetate and acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 9, part The compound was obtainedinthe form of pale yellow crystals, M.P. 137.4153.2 C'. (corr.).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.37; H, 9.15; N, 4.10. Found: C, 77.60; H, 9.31; N, 4.00.

14 Example 1 1' (a) 2 lzydroxymethyleneandrostan 17/3-0l-3-0ne was prepared from androstan-l7fi-ol-3-one and ethyl formate in the presence of sodium methoxide in benzene solution according to the manipulative procedures described above in Example 5, part (a). The product Was recrystallized from acetone and ether, giving 2-hydroxymethyleneandrostan-17 8-ol-3-one, M.P. 126132 C. (uncorr.); ultra violet maximum at 282 m (E=8,400).

(b) 17fl-acet0xyandrostan0[2.S-d]isoxazole [V; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOCH Y and Y are CH Equimolar quantities of 2-hydroxymethyleneandrostan- 17,8-01-3-one and hydroxylamine hydrochloride in glacial acetic acid were caused to react as described hereinabove for analogous procedures. The product was separated by the addition of water and filtration of the precipitated product. The product was recrystallized first from methanol and then from acetone and dried at -105 C. for sixteen hours to give 17B-acetoxyandrostano-[2.3]isoxazole, M.P. 164.0166.0 C. (corr.), [a] =+39.6- t0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 226 my. (E=4,300).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 73.91; H. 8.74; O, 13.43. Found: C, 73.66; H, 8.64; O, 13.15.

17 8-acetoxyandrostano[2.3 isoxazole was found to have myotrophic activity accompanied by a low degree of androgenic activity.

(c) 17,3-hydroxyandr0stano[2.3-a']isoxazole [V; R and R are H, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH obtained by hydrolysis of 17,8-acetoxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole, had the M.P. 179.8182.0 C. (corr.), [a] =+61.6 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 228 m (E=4,900). Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.16; H, 9.27; O, 10.15. Found: C, 75.93; H, 9.38; 0, 9.90.

17fi-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity and myotrophic activity with moderate to high degree of separation of myotrophic and androgenic actvity.

17 ,B-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole was rearranged with base to give 2a-cyandrostan-17fi-ol-3-one, M.P. 250.0-2520" C. (corr.).

(d) The 17B-(S-cyclohexylpropionate) of 17,B-hydr0xystan0[2.3-d]is0xaz0le [V; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOCH CH C l-I Y'and Y are CH had the M.P. 140.4-141.8 C. (corr.), [a] =|-4O.6 (1% in chloroform.

AnaIysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.78; H, 9.56; N, 3.09. Found: C, 76.54; H, 9.63; N, 3.12.

The 17fl-(3-cyclohexylpropionate) of l7fi-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity and myotrophic activity of long duration with a high degree of separation of myotrophic and androgenic activities.

(:2) 17,8 (4-chl0r0phen0xyacet0xy)androstano [2.341] isoxazole [V; R and R are H, X is H Z is Y and Y are CH was prepared from 17B-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole and p-chlorophenoxyacetyl chloride in pyridine. It was obtained in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 152.2153.2 C. (corr.), [a] =+38.2 (1% in chloroform).

An alysis.Calcd. for C H CINO C, 69.48; H. 7.08; Cl, 7.33. FoundzC, 69.16; H, 7.11; Cl, 7.70.

(4 chlorophenoxyacetoxy)androstano[2.3 -d] isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity (nitrogen retention) at 0.8 mg./kg./ day subcutaneously in the rat.

(7) 1 7,6-(trimethylacetoxy)androstano [2 .3-d] isoxazole [V; R and R are H, X is H Z is OCOC(CH Y and Y are CH was prepared from 17/8-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole and trimethylacetyl chloride in pyridine. It was obtained in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 188.2189.2 C. (corr.), [u] =+4O.Z (1% in chloroform). Y

i .trihydrate in 200 ml. of Water.

iutes and diluted with water.

'chromatographed on alumina.

' of acetic acid was boiledfor ten minutes. 7 mixture was diluted with water, and the product which 1 1 Analysis.-Calcd. for CQ H NO C, 75.17; H, 9.33; O, 12.01. Found: C, 75.46; H, 9.20; O, 12.25.

(g) 17 8 (3-cycl0pemylpr0pi0n0xy)androstano [2.3-d] isoxazole [V; R and R are H, X 'is H Z is .Y and Y are CH was prepared from 17fi-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole and'fl-cyclopentylpropionyl chloride in pyridine. It was obtained in the form of colorless needles, M.P. 142.6143.4 C. (corn), [a] =+41.2

Example 12 (a) Z-acetyl-l7/3-acetoxyandrostari-3-0ne.-A. mixture of 9.6 g. (0.16 mole) of glacial acetic acid and-50 ml; of ethylene dichloride was cooled in an ice-bath, and dry boron'trifiuoride gas was passed into the solution until it -Was saturated; With continued addition of boron trifluoride, a solution of 11.60 g. (0.04 mole) of androstan- 17,8-01-3-one and 12.2 g. (11.14 ml., 0.12 mole) of acetic anhydride in 75 'ml. of ethylene dichloride was added.

' The reaction mixture was stirred in the ice-bath for thirty minutes, and at room temperature for three hours, and then poured into a solution of 30 g. of'sodium acetate The organic solvent was distilled oif, and the residue refluxed for forty=five min- The solid product was collected by filtration, suspended in 200 ml. of methanol containing 23 ml. of 35% sodium hydroxide solution with stirring, 25 ml. of water was added, and the solution allowed to stand for one hour. The solution was acidified with glacial acetic acid, the methanol removed in vacuo, and water was'added to precipitate agummy product. The latterwas separated and dissolved in 25 ml. of acetic anhydride and 20 ml. of pyridine, and the solution was kept at room temperature and heated for one hour on a steam bath. The reaction mixture was added to cold, dilute sulfuric acid and the product collected, Washed, dissolved in hot methanol, and the solution filtered. Water was added to the filtrate to the point of turbidity, and the product which separated upon cooling was collected and dried at 70 C.; yield 11.59 g., M.P. 132-158 C.

The latter was dissolved in n-hexane and The fraction eluted with 20% ether in n-pentane was recrystallized from acetone and dried in vacuo at 110 C. for eight hours, giving 698 g. of 2-acetyl-17fi-acetoxyandrostan-3-one, M.P. 183.0-1846" C. (corn), [a] =+39.4i0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 290 m (E=9,100)

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 73.76; H, 9.15. Found: C, 73.80; H, 9.55. r

(b) 2-acetylandroszan-17,B-ol-3-one.-A solution of 2- acetyl-l7fi-acetoxyandrostan-3-one in methanol was treated with an excess of 35% sodium hydroxide solution, and the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for one hour. The reaction mixture was neutralized with (uncorr.

, acetic acid and diluted with water, and the product was isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, giving 2-acetylandrostan-1718:01-3-one, M.P. 149.6154.0 C.

l5 precipitated was collected by filtration and. recrystallized from aqueous methanol, giving 2.83 g. of solid, M.P. 158'- 194 C. (uncorr.). The total product, including the latter solid, was dissolved in 80 ml. of ether, the solution diluted to 800 ml. with pentane and chromatographed on a column of 200 g. of silica gels The column was eluted with 1 pentane containing gradually increasing amounts of ether. Elution with 20% ether brought out 1.21 g. of crystalline product, M.P. 180-190 C. (uncorr.). Subsequent elu tion with 40% ether brought out 2.07 g. of solid product, M.P. 176-204 C. (uncorr.). The latter was recrystallized successively from aqueous methanol, ethyl acetate andacetone and dried at 110 C. in vacuo for seven hours to give' 17B+hydroxyandr0stano[2.3-d]-3'-methylisoxazole in the form of blunt needles, M.P. 208.8219.6 C. (corn), [ajl =+56.4:0.1 (1% in chloform); ultraviolet maximum at 227mg (E=5,500).

Arialysis-Calcd. for C21H31NO2: c, 76.55; H, 9.48;

N, 4.25. Found: C, 76.33; H, 9.41; N, 4.14. I

The material, M.P. ISO-190 C. (unc0rr.), eluted with 20% ether, was recrystallized from methanol and from hexane to give -17 8-acetoxyandrostano[2.3-d]-3-methy1- isoxazole, M.P. 189.2195.20 C.,(corr.)

V [a] =+35.2i0.1 (1% in chloroform).

e Example 13. (a) Z-(n-buryryl)andr0stan-I7fl-0L3-0ne was prepared from 27.68 g. of 17B-(n butyryloxy-androstan-3-one (M.P.- 97-99 C.), 24.3 g. of n-butyric anhydride and 27.1'g. of n-butyric acid in the presence of boron trifluoride a'ccording to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 12, part (a). The initial product obtained, 2-(nbutyryl)-17,8-(n-butyryloxy)androstan-3-one was saponified by treating a methanol solution of the compound with 35 sodium hydroxide at room temperature,-and the resulting 17B-hydroxy compound was chromatographed on silica gel to 'give 25.14 g. of '2-(n-butyryl)androstan-17fi-ol-3-one, M.P. 130.8-132.8 C. (corn), colorless prisms from methanol, [a] =+55.8i0.l (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 290 m (E=9,470).

Analysis.-,Calcd. for C 3H3 O C, 76.62; H, 10.07.

Found; 0, 76.70; H, 10.10.

(b) 17,6 lzydroxyandrostano [2.3 111-3 (n propyl) isoxazole [V; R is (CH CH R is H, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared from 3.60 g. of 2-(nbutyryl) androstan--ol 3-one, 0.73 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 1.29 g. of sodium acetate trihydrate and 50 ml. of absolute ethanol according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). The

product was a colorless resin and gave a negative ferric chloride test. e

The benzoate ester of J7fl-hydr0xyandrostdn0[2.3-d]- 3'-(n-propyl)isoxaz0le [V; R is (CH CH R is H, X is H Z is OCOC H Y and Y are CH was obtained'in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 199.4-202.6 C. (corr.), [or] +82.4 (1% inchloroform); ultraviolet maxima at 229, 273 and 281 mu (E=20,463., 925 and 731).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 78.05; H, 8.52; N, 3.03. Found: C, 78.31; H, 8.77; N, 3.03.

9 Example 14 '(a) 2-hydr0xymethylene-4,6-andr0stadien-17fl-ol-3-one was'prepared from 12.41 g. of 4,6-androstadien-175-01-3- one, 14 ml. of ethyl formate and 3.9 g. of sodium hydride according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). There was thus obtained 13.15

g. of Z-hydroxymethylene-4,6-androstadien-17 8-01-3-one,

ten minutes. The product was isolated by dilution with water and collection of the precipitated product, and the latter was chromatographed on silica gel in benzene solution. The column was eluted with benzene containing gradually increasing amounts of ether. The material eluted with ether in benzene was recrystallized from benzene and from ethyl acetate, and dried at 70 C. in vacuo for fifteen hours to give 17;3-acetoxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 157.4161.4 C. (corn), [a] =l82.6i0.3 (1% in chloroform) ultraviolet maxima at 244, 252 and 319 my (E=3,l50, 2,740 and 18,240).

Analysis.--Calcd. for C H NO C, 74.75; H, 7.70; N, 3.96; O, 13.58. Found: C, 73.97; H, 8.09; N, 3.92; O, 13.25.

The crystalline fraction eluted with 25% ether in benzene from the chromatogram was recrystallized successively from benzene, ethanol, ethyl acetate and ethanol and dried at 75 C. in vacuo for fifteen hours. There was thus obtained l7[3-hydroXy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d1isoxazole, M.P. 216.2-219.6 C. (corn), [a} =134.'/:0.i (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxirna at 235, 254 and 319 m =2,900, 2,500 and 17,800).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.13; H, 8.09; N, 4.50. Found: C, 76.89; H, 7.85; N, 4.49.

17fi-hydroxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole and its acetate were found to have myotrophic activity with a low degree of androgenic activity.

17,8-hydroxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d1isoxazole can be reacted with acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, caproyl chloride, succinic anhydride, fi-cyclopentylpropionyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, p-nitrobenzoyl chloride, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride, phenylacetyl chloride, or cinuamoyl chloride, by heating in the presence of pyridine, to give, respectively,

l7B-acetoxy-4,6-androstadieno [2.3 -d] isoxazole,

17 ,8-propionoxy-4,6-androstadieno [2.3-d] isoxazole,

17fi-caproyloxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d1isoxazole,

175- (B-carb oxypropionoxy -4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]

isoxazole,

17 ,B- ,8-cyclopentylpropionoxy) -4,6-androstadieno- [2.3-d] isoxazole,

17 ,B-benzoyloxy-4,6-mdrostadieno [2.3-d} isoxazole,

17 B- p-nitrobenzoyloxy) -4,6-androstadieno [2.3 -d] isoxazole,

17,8- (3,4,5 -trimethoxybenzoyloxy) -4,6-androstadieno- [2.3 -d] isoxazole,

17p3-phenylacetoxy-4,6-androstadieno [2.3-d] isoxazole, or

17B-cinnarnoyloxyl,6-androstadieno [2.3-d] isoxazole.

Example (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-l 7a-methyl-4,6-andr0staclien- 17fi-ol-3-one was prepared from 11.4 g. of Net-methyl- 4,6-androstadien-17B-ol-3-one, 12.0 ml. of ethyl formate and 3.7 g. of sodium hydride in 250 ml. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). There was thus obtained 5.3 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-rnethyl-4,6-androstadien-17 3- ol-3-one, M.P. 117-123 C. (uncorn).

(b) 17fi-hydroxy-1 7a-metlzy14,6-ana'r0stadien0[2.3-d] fsoxazole [VH; R is H, R is CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are Cl-I ].A mixture of 3.3 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4,6-androstadien-1713-01-3 -one, 1 .0 g. of hydroxylarnine hydrochloride, 1.3 g. of fused sodium acetate and 150 ml. of glacial acetic acid was heated at 7580 C. for seven hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, water Was added to the residue and the product Was extracted with benzene. The benzene extracts were washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was triturated with ether to give 2.55 g. of 17,8-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 193.4199.0 C. (corr.) when recrystallized from acetone, [u] =-187.8:t0.2

(1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxima at 319, 253, 245 and 236 m (=19,800, 2,500, 2,990 and 3,400).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.50; H, 8.36; O, 983. Found: C, 77.19; H, 8.29; 0, 10.05.

17fi-hydroxy flat-methyl 4,6 androstadieno[2.3-d]- isoxazole was found to have myotrophic and pituitary inhibiting activities accompanied by a low degree of androgenic activity.

Example 16 (a) Z-lzydroxymetlzylenc-l 7a-ethyl 4,6 androstadien- 17,8-0l-3-0ne was prepared from 8.83 g. of 17a-ethyl-4,6- androstadien-17B-ol-3-one, 10 ml. of ethyl formate and 2.8 g. of sodium hydride in 200 m1. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). There was thus obtained 9.68 g. of Z-hydroxyrnethylene-Nix-ethyl 4,6 androstadien-Up-ol- 3-one in the form of its sodium salt.

(b) 17B-hydroxy-17a-etlzyl 4,6-andrortadien0[23-41]- isoxazole [Vll; R is H, R is C H X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are C*rI ].A mixture of 3.64 g. of the sodium salt of Z-hydroxyrnethylene-17a-ethyl 4,6 androstadien- 17,8-ol-3-one, 0.76 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 0.10 g. of sodium acetate and 50 ml. of acetic acid was refluxed for five minutes. The product was isolated by dilution with water and collection of the resulting precipitate, and was recrystallized successively from benzene, ethanol and ethyl acetate, and dried at 70 C. for three days and then at C. for eight hours to give 17,8- hydroxy 17oc-6ihYl-4,6-21IldlOSt2dien0[2.3-(111SOX3Z016 in the form of yellow granules, M.P. l76.6185.0 C. (corn), [u] =209.4i0.1 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maxirna at 243, 252 and 319 my. (E:2,900, 2,500 and 17,800).

Analysis.Calcd. for C l-1 C, 77.84; H, 8.61; O, 9.43. Found: C, 77.74; H, 8.34; O, 9.60.

Example 17 :,17/3 dimetlzyl 18 nor 12 andr0sten0[2.3-d]- is0xaz0le.A mixture of 3.33 g. of 2-hydroxyrnethylene- 17m-methylandrostan-17 3-ol-3-one, 0.70 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 30 ml. of glacial acetic acid was refluxed for five minutes. The product was isolated by dilution with water and collection of the resulting precipitate, and the resulting 2.56 g. of material was recrystallized several times from ethanol and dried at 40 C. for seventy-two hours in vacuo to give 17x,17;3- dimethyl-lS nor 12 androsteno[2.3-d}isoxazole, M.P. 134.0138.6 C. (corn), [a] =7.8iO.1 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 222 rn (E=5,800)

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO: C, 80.98; H, 9.39; O, 5.14. Found: C, 80.94; H, 9.39; O, 5.20.

The foregoing product proved to be homogeneous upon chromatography, and the structure assigned is supported by infrared data. There is no indication of hydroxyl or carbonyl absorption, and an absorption maximum at 7.34 m was assigned to a gem-dimethyl group after comparison with model compounds.

Example 18 17-0x0-4,5-andr0stadien0[2.3-d}isoxazole can be prepared by treating a solution of 17B-hydroxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole [Example 14, part (12)] in glacial acetic acid with a solution of chromic oxide in aqueous acetic acid. The product is isolated by addition of Water and collection of the resulting precipitate.

Example 19 (a) 17a-ethynyl 2 hydroxymethylene 4 androsten- 17B-0l-3-one.To a solution of 14.2 g. of 17a-ethyny1- 4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in 300 ml. of dry pyridine was added 23 ml. of dry ethyl formate and then a solution of sodium ethoxide ethanol (from 2.1 g. of sodium and 35 ml. of absolute ethanol). The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for forty-two hours and then poured onto ice-Water. Glacial acetic acid (218 ml.) was added and the gummy product was separated and dissolved in ether. The ether solution was washed with a solution of 30 g. of potassium hydroxide in 1.5 liters of water, and the aqueous layer was cooled to C. and acidified with 6 N hydrochloric acid. The precipitated product was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo over phosphorus pentoxide at 60 C., giving 13.5 g. of 17ot-ethynyl-2-hydroxymethylene-4- androsten-17p-ol-3-one.

(b) l7a-ethynyl 17,8-hydroxy 4 androsteno [ZS-d]- isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is CECH, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared from 4.32 g. or" 170:- ethynyl-Z-hydroxymethylene 4 androsten17,8-ol-3-one, 1.00 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 1.12 g. of fused sodium acetate and 135 m1. of acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (l1). There was thus obtained 2.35 g. of 17aethynyl-17B-hydroxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 224.2226.8 C. (corn) when recrystallized from acetone; [a] =+7.5:L-0.2 (in 95% ethanol); ultraviolet maximum at 286 m (E=l1,300).

V Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 78.30; H, 8.07; O, 9.48. Found: C, 78.00; H, 8.06; O, 9.10.

170: ethynyl 17B hydroxy 4 androsteno[2.3-d]- isoxazole has been found to possess anabolic and myotrophic activity with a low degree of androgenic activity. It also was found to possess estrogenic and pituitary inhibitory activity.

Example 20 (a) 2-hya'r0xymethylene-4-pregnen-2018-ol-3-0ne was prepared from 4.97 g. of 4-pregnen-20/3-ol-3-one, 5 ml. of ethyl formate and 1.0 g. of sodium hydride in 100 m1. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). i (b) 20fl-hydr0xy-4-pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is CH(OH)CH X is H Z is H, Y and Y are CH was prepared from the 2-hydroxymethylene-4-pregnen- 20fl-ol-3-one obtained above in part (a) and 1.20 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 200 ml. of ethanol according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). There was thus obtained 20,8-hydroxy-4-pregneno[2.3-d1isoxazole, M.P. 129.2147.8 C. (corr.), [oc] =+105.0i0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 286 my. (E=10,050).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.37; H, 9.15; O, 9.37. Found: C, 77.16; H, 9.21; O, 9.70.

Example 21 20-0x0-4-pregnen0[2.3-d1isoxaz0le [VI; R is H, R is COCH X is H Z is H, Y and Y are CH ].To a solution of 1.10 g. of 20fi-hydroxy-4-pregneno[2.3-d1isoxazole in 80 ml. of acetone was added 8.46 ml. of oxidizing solution (prepared from 26.7 g. of chromic oxide, 23 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid and 40 ml. of water, diluted to 1000 ml. with water) dropwise during ten minutes. The reaction mixture was kept at room temperature for ten minutes, poured into 200 ml. of water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in acetone, retreated with 14.25 mi. of the oxidizing solution, and the product Worked up as before. The crude product was dissolved in benzene andchromatographed on a column of silica gel. The column was eluted successively with pentane-benzene (1:1), benzene, and benzene-ether (19:1). The last named solvent mixture brought out the desired product which Was recrystallized from an acetone-ether mixture, giving 20-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 182.5 187 C.. (uncorr.). A purified sample of the compound had the M.P. 181.4-183.0 C. (corr.), [oz] =|-22Q.9 102 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 my. (E=11,000).

Analysis.--Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.83; H, 8.61; O, 9.43. Found: C, 78.09; H, 8.91; O, 9.47.

20 20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole was found to possess progestational activity when injected intramuscularly in rabbits at a dose level of 1.0 mgJkg.

Example 22 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-4,4,1 7 :x-trimethyl-S -androsten- 17 3-ol-3-0ne was prepared from 6.2 g. of 4,4,17a-trimethyl-5-androsten-17B-ol-3-one, 16 ml. of ethyl formate and sodium methoxide (from 2.2 g. of sodium and 40 ml. of methanol) in 400 ml. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 5, part (a). There was thus obtained 5.54 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene- 4,4-17ot-trimethy1-5-androsten-17,8-ol-3-one.

(b) I 7B-hydroxy-4,4,1 71x-trimethyl-S-androsteno [2,3-d] isoxrzzole can be prepared from 4.5 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4,4-17ot-trimethyl-5-androsten-17,8-01-3-one, 0.91 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 1.03 g. of sodium acetate and 150 ml. of acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel in benzene solution, eluted with benzene containing 5% of ether and recrystallized from ethanol to give 17,8-hydroxy-4,4, 17a-trimethyl-5-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P. 177.6 180.8 C. (corr.), [a] =66.9:0.1 (1% in ethanol); ultraviolet maximum at 229 m (E'=6,200).

Armlysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.70; H, 9.36; O, 9.00. Found: C, 77.71; H, 9.17; O, 9.30.

l7;3-hydroxy-4,4,17a-trimethyl 5 androsteno[2.3-d]- isoxazole was found to possess a blocking action on the adrenal response to ACTH in castrated male rats.

17fi-hydroxy-4,4,17oc-trimethyl 5 androsteno[2.3-d]- isoxazole was rearranged with base to give 2a-cyano-4,4, 17a-trimethyl-5-androsten-17,8-01- 3 one, M.P. 226.8- 229.6 C. (corr.), [0c] -:24.8 (0.5% in ethanol).

Example 23 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-4,4-dimethyl 5 androsten- .l7fl-0l-3-0ne was prepared from 6.69 g. of 4,4-dimethyl- 5-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one, 9.5 ml. of ethyl formate, 0.95

g. of sodium and 18-20 ml. of ethanol in 65 ml. of pyri-' Example 24 (a) Z-hydroxymelhylene 4,4,170; trimethylandrostan- 17,8-0l-3-0ne was prepared from 6 g. of 4,4-17vc-trimethy1- androstan-17fi-ol-3-one, 10 ml. of ethyl formate,;0.85 g. of sodium and 15 ml. of ethanol in ml. of pyridine according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 19, part(a). There was thus obtained 5.0 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4,4,17a-trimethylandrostan 17/3- ol-3-one, M.P. 154 C. (uncorr.).

(b) 4,4,1 7a-trimetlzyl-1 75 hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]

isoxazole was prepared from 2.8 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4,4,l7m-trimethylandrostan-l7/i-ol-3-one, 0.57 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 0.64 g. of sodium acetate and 90 ml. of acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). The product was recrystallized from ethanol to give 4,4,17a-

trimethyl-l7 3 hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole, M.P.

210214 C. (uncorr.); ultraviolet maximum at 228m, (5:5,456). A purified sample had the M.P. 207.2- 209.8 C. (corr.), [a] =+7.07i-0.25 (1% in ethanol).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.27; H, 9.87; O, 8.95. Found: C, 77.58; H, 9.98; O, 9.03.

21 Example 25 (a) Z-hydroxymetlzylene-6a,l7a-dimetityl-4-androsten- 17,8-oZ-3-one Was prepared from 5.0 g. of 6a,17a-dimethyll-androsten-l7B-0l-3-one, 5.0 ml. of ethyl formate and 1.5 g. of sodium hydride in 160 ml. of benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a).

(12) 6a,] 7e-dz'methyl-l 7 8-lzydr0xy-4androsteno [2.3-d] isoxazole was prepared from 2-hydroxymethylene-6a,17adimethyll-androsten 17B-ol-3-one and hydroxylamine hydrochloride according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). It had the MP. 177.0182.2 C. (corn), [a] =+90.2i0.5 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 me (15:10,- 700).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H N0 C, 77.37; H, 9.15; N, 4.10. Found: C, 77.58; H, 8.97; N, 3.93

Example 26 (a) 2 lzydroxymethylene-4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,11, ZO-Zrione was prepared from 2.0 g. (0.005 mole) of 21- acetoxy-4-pregnen-17a-o1-3,11,20-trione (cortisone acetate) and 1.0 g. of sodium hydride in 100 ml. of pyridine according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 19, part (a), all operations being carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere. In the process the 21-acetoxy group was saponified to give 1.3 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene 4 pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione; ultraviolet maxima at 246 and 293 m (E=8,000 and 4,300), characteristic of the 2-hydroxymethy1ene-A -3-oxo group- (b) 17a,21 dz'hydroxy-Jl,20-dioxo-4-pregneno[2.3-d] isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is COCH OH, X is 0, Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared from Z-hydroxymethylene-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione and hydroxylamine hydrochloride according to the manipulative pro cedure described above in Example 1, part (b). The product was purified in the form of its 21-acetate which was obtained in the form of colorless prisms, M.P. 246.2- 2542 C. (corn), [oz] =+215.7 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 287 me (E=10,600).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C, 67.42; H, 6.84; N, 3.28. Found: C, 67.65; H, 6.58; N, 3.23.

Example 27 (a) 2 hydroxymetlzylene-I7oc-eIlzynylandrostan-I7p?- 0l-3-one was prepared from 7.54 g. of l7a-ethynylandrostan-17B-ol-3-one, 11.5 ml. of ethyl formate and sodium methoxide (from 1.10 g. of sodium and ml. of methanol) in 250 ml. of pyridine according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 19, part (a). The crude product had a melting point of 171-177.5 C. (uncorr.).

(b) 175 lzydroxy-I7a-erhynylandrostano[2.3-d1is0xazole [V; R is H, R is CECH, X is H;,, Z is 01-1, Y and Y are CH ].-A mixture of 3.42 g. of 2-hydroxyrnethylene-17a-ethynylan rostan-17fi-ol-3-one and 0.76 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 50 ml. of acetic acid was boiled for five minutes. The product was isolated and recrystallized successively from acetone, a benzene-acetone mixture, ethanol and ethyl acetate to give 17,8-hydroxy 17a ethynylandrostano[2.3-dlisoxazole, MP. 197.2-198.8 C. (corn), [a] =-8.0:0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 227 mu (E=5,100).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.83; H, 8.61; O, 9.43. Found: C, 77.55; H, 8.39; O, 9.70.

Example 28 (a) 2 hydroxymcthylene 17a propargylandrostan- 17,8-ol-3-0ne can be prepared by replacement of the 17ozmethyl-4-andr0stan-l7fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of l7a-propargylandrostan-17fi-ol-3-one.

(b) 173 hydroxy 17a propargylandrostano[23-41] isoxazole [V; R is H, R is CECCHg, X is H Z is OH,

22 V Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-l7a-n1ethyl-4- androsten-l7B-ol- 3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-propargylandrostan- 17/3-ol-3-one.

Example 29 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4-pregnene-20,21-di0l-3-0ne can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4- androsten-17fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnene-20,2l-diol-3-one.

(b) 20,21 -dihydroxy-4-pregneno [2 .3-d1isoxaz0le [VI; R is H, R is C(OH)CH OH, X is H Z is H, Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-1Tea-methyll-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylene-4-pregnene-20,2l-diol-3-one.

Example 30 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-9-fluor0-4-pregnene-J15,170 21-trz'ol-3,20-dione 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten- 17,8-ol-3-0ne in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 9-fluoro-4-pregnene-llfi,l7a,2l-triol-3,20- dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 9 fluoro 115,17a,21-trihydroxy-20-oxo-4-preg-.

neno[2.3-d]-isoxazole ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-lhmethyll-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-9- fluoro 4-pregnene-115,17a,21-triol-3,2t)-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

Example 31 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene4-pregnene-16u,17a,21-tri0l- 3,20-dione-9fi,11,8-0xide 20-monoetlzylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnene-16a,17a,21-triol-3,20- dione-9,B,11B-oxide 16a,21-diacetate 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 16oz,.l7zx,2l trihya'roxy 20-ox0-9fi,1118-oxid0-4- pregneno [23-03] -z'soxazole ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-lhmethyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-0ne in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-lpregnene 16a,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione-9,B,1IB-oxide 20- monoethylene glycol ketal.

Example 32 (a) 2 formyl-Z,4-pregnadiene-Z7a,21-di0l-3,1l,20-trione 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 1,4- pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione ZO-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) l7a,21-dihydroxy-11,20-di0x0-(1,3)5-pregnatrien0 [2.3-d1isoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-17a methyl-4-androsten-175-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-formyl-1,4-pregnadiene-17a,21a-diol-3,11,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 17a,2l-dihydroxy-1 1,20-dioxo- 1,3 5 -pregnatrieno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 33 (a) 2 lzydroxymethylene-l7a-pr0pynyl-6-nzetlzyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17a-propynyl- 6-methy1-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one.

(b) 17,8-hydroxy-17a-pr0pynyl-6-melhyl-4-androsteno [2.3-d1isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the 2 hydroxymethylene-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-175-01-3- one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount 23 of 2 hydroxymethylene-17a-propynyl-6-methyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one.

Example 34 (a) Z-lzydroxymethylene 17cc methyl 4 androslerzl7fl-ol-3-one in the form of the copper chelate (2.07 g., MP. 205-220 C.) was brominated with 1.46 g. of bromine in 100 ml. of carbon tetrachloride to give 2- bromo-Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten 17,6- ol-3-one. The latter can be dehydrobrominated by heating with collidine to give 2-formyl-17a-methyl-1,4-androstadien-l7j8-ol-3-one.

(b) I7B-hydr0xy 170a methyl (1,3 )5-androstzztrieizo [2.3-dlisoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxyrnethylene-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17B ol 3- one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-formyl-17cz-methyl-1,4-androstadienl7fl-ol-3-one.

Example 35 (a) Z-lzydroxymethylene-ZI-acetoxy-4-pregnene 11,8, l7a-tdiol-3,20dione 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17oc-rnethyl-4-androsten- 17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 21-acetoxy-4-pregnene-11,8,17a-diol-3,20-dione 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal (hydrocortisone acetate 20- monoethylene glycol ketal).

(b) 21 -acet0xy-1 1B,] 7a-dihydroxy-20-oxo-4 pregneno Example 36 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-Z]-acet0xy 4,6 pregnadieiz- 17a-ol-3,1I,20-tri0ne 20m0noethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 2l-acetoxy-4,6-pregnadien-17u-ol- 3,11,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

- (b) Zl-acetoxy-I7a hydr0xy-11,20-dioxo 4,6 pregnadieno[2.3-d] isoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol lcetal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene- 17u-methyl-4-androsten l'7;8-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by 'a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-Z1-acetoxy-4,G-pregnadien-l7a-ol-3,l1,20 trione 2 monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give Zl-acetoxy-lh-hydroxy- 11,20-dioxo-4,6-pregnadieno[2.3-d1isoxazole [VH; R is H, R is COCH OCOCH X is 0, Z is OH, Y and Y are CH Example 37 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-2I-acetoxy-4 pregnen J7m- 0l-3,20-di0ne 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can beprepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17(3- ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 21-acetoxy-4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,20'-dione 2'0- monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21 -acetoxy-1 7 a-hydrOxy-Z0-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d isoxazole 20-m0noetlzylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-l7a-methyl-4- andr0sten-l7B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-Zl-acetoxy-4- pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 2l-acetoxy-17a-hydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3 d]- isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is COCH OCOCH X is 0, Z is OH, Y and Y are CH Example 38 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-Zl-acet0xy-6-metlzyl-4 preg- Example 39 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-Z]-acetoxy-9-flu0r0-6 methyl-4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,l1,20-trione ZO-mcrzoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Noe-methyl- 4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount 21-acetoxy-9-fluoro-6-methyl-4- pregnen-lh-ol-ll 1,20 trione 2O monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) ZI-acezoxy-Zh-hydroxy-I1,20-diox0-9 fluoro 6- methyl-4-pregnen0[2.3-dlisoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hy droxymethylene-17u-methyl-4-androsten-17,8-01-3 one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-2l-acetoxy-9-fluoro 6 methyl 4- pregnen-l7u-ol-3,ll,20 trione 20 monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed With dilute hydrochloric acid to give 2l-acetoxy-'l7u-hydroxyl1,20-dioxo-9-fiuoro 6- methyl-4-pregneno [2.3-d] isoxazole.

Example 40 (a) 2-formyl-2]-acet0xy-2-metlzyl-4-pregnen-17a 0l. 3,11,20-trione 20-monoetlzylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B- ol-3-0ne in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 2l-acetoxy-2-methyl-4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,11,20- trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21 acetoxy-J7a-hydroxy-Z-methyl-ILZO-dioxo 4- pregneno[2.3-dlisoxazole 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-formyl-21- acetoxy 2 methyl 4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,11,20-trione 20- rnonoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 21-acetoxy-17a-hydroxy- 2-methyl-11,20-diox0-4-pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 41 (a) 2-hya'r0xymethylene-21-acetoxy4-pregnene 11/3,

a,] 7a-triol-3,20-dio 'ze 20-monoethylene glycol ketal be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar 25 equivalent amount of 21-acetoxy-4-pregne'r're-l6a,17 z-diol- 3,11,20-trione ZO-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21-acet0xy-16a,]7a-dZl1ydr0xy-11,20-diox0-4-pregnen[2,3-d]-isoxaz0le ZO-raonoetlzylene glycol keial can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene- 17cr-methyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-21-acetoxy-4-pregnene-16a,17c-diol 3,11,20 trione -monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 21-acetoxy-l6m,17a-dihydroxy-l 1,20-dioxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole.

Example 43 (a) 2-hydroxymetlzylene-4,17(20)-pregnadiene11p,21- diol-S-one can be prepared by replacement of the 17amethyl-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4,17(20)-pregnadiene- 113,21-diol-3-one.

(b) 11,9,21-dilzydr0xy 4,17(20) pregnadienoUfi-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene 17a methyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene 4,17 (20) pregnadiene-11B,21-diol- 3-one.

Example 44 11,8,1- 7:1,21 trzlzydroxy 20 0x0-4-pregizcn0[2.3-d] isoxazole (Example can be caused to react with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine under mild conditions to give 21-tosyloxy 113,17a dihydroxy-20-oxo-4- pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole. The latter can be caused to react with sodium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium chloride or sodium thiocyanate to give, respectively, 21-bromo, 21-iodo, 2l-chloro or 21-tlu'ocyano derivatives of 11,8,17adihydroxy-Z0-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole.

Example (a) 2-hydr0xymethyleneandrostanejsfl7(3-di0l 3 one can be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4- androsten-17,8-0l-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of androstane-6B,17e-diol-3-one.

(b) 6/3,I7fi-dihydroxyandr0stano [2.3-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene- 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene androstane-6,8,17fi-diol-3-one.

Example 46 (a) Z-lzydroxymethylene-l 7a-etl1ynyl-4-azdr0sten-1 7B- 01-3,]1-dione can be prepared by replacement of the 170:- methyl-4-androsten-175-ol-3=one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17m-ethynyl-4-androsten- 17 pol-3,1 1-dione.

(b) 17m-ethynyl-17fi-hydroxy-11 0x0 4 androsteno [2.3-d1is0xaz0le WI; R is H, R is CECH, X is 0, Z is OH, Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B- ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethynyl-4-androsten- 17 ,8-ol-3,1 l-dione.

Example 47 (a) 2 lzydroxymethyleize-l7mmethyl-4-andr0sten-17B- ol-3,11-di0ne can be prepared by replacement of the 17 0cmethyl-4-androsten-1713-01-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17a-methyl-4-androsten- 175-ol-3,11-dione.

(b) 170: methyl-17,8-l1ydroxy-11-0xo 4 androsteno [2.3-d1z'soxaz0le 'I; R is H, R is CH X is 0, Z is OH, Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17eol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten- 1'ifi-ol-3,11-dione.

Example 49 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4-andr0siene-6B,175-di0l-3- one can be prepared by replacement of the 17u-methyl-4- androsten-l7B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-androstene-6fi,17B-diol-3-one.

(b) 6 6,1 7 p-dzhydr0xy-4-androsten0 [2.3-d] isoxazol e can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene- 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-4-androstene-6p,17(3-di0l-3-one.

Example 50 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-I7a-metlzyl 4 androstene- 65,17fi-dz'ol-3-one can be prepared by replacement of the 17x-methyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17a-methyl-4-androstene-e,17,3-dicl-3-one.

(b) 17a-methyl-6fi,17/3-dihydr0xy-4-andr0steno[2.3-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-l7B-0l-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylene 17a methyl-4-androstene 65,176- diol-S-one.

Example 51 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4-andr0stene-14a,1 7,8-(li0l-3- one can be prepared by replacement of the flat-methyl- 4-androsten-l7fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-androstene-14,17f3-dio1-3- one.

(b) l4a,17[3-dihydr0xy 4 andr0stei10[2,3-d]isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hyclroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17,8-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-4-androstene-14a,17,3-diol-3-one.

Example 52 (a) 2 lzydroxymethylene-J6fi-methyl-4-androsten-175- ol-3-0ne can be prepared by replacement of the rnethyl-4-androsten-17l3-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 16B-methyl-4-androsten- 17B-ol-3-one.

(b)16/3-metlzyl 17B hydroxy 4 androsteno[2.3-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxyrnethylene-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-175-01-3 one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylene-16,8-methyl-4-androsten 17B ol 3- one.

Example 53 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4-androstene-11u,17 3-diol-3- one can be prepared by replacement of the Not-methyl- 4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-androstene-11a,17B-diol- 3-one.

(b) 1101,175 dihydroxy-4-andr0steno[2.3-d]isoxazole [Vl; R and R are H, X is (H)(OH), Z is OH, Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene 17a-methyl-4-androsten-1713-01-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylene4-androstene-1 1a-1713-di0l-3-0116.

2? Example 54 p (a) 2 hydroxymezhylene-l9-nor-4-androstene-6/8,17/3- diol-S-one can be prepared by replacement of the 17amethyl-4-androsten-17,3-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of l9-nor-4-androstene-6 8, 175-diol-3-one.

(b) 65,17 8 dihydroxy 19 nor-4-androsteno[2.3-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene 17u-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylcne-l9-nor-4-androstene-613,l7fi-diol-3-one.

Example 55 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 4-br0m0-17a-methyl-4-andrsterz-17fi-0l-3-0ne can be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-l7g8-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-bromo-17amethyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-0ne.

('b) 4 bromo 17a-methyl-17,8-hydr0xy-4-androsteno [2.3-d]'is0xaZ0le can be prepared by replacement of the 2 hydroxymethylene 17a-methyl-4-androsten-175-01-3- one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-4-bromo-17a-methyl-4-androsten- 17,8-ol-3-one.

Example 56 (a) 2' hydroxymethylene 4-methyl-4-andr0sten-l7B- ol-3-one can be prepared by replacement of the 170:- methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-methyl-4-androsten- 17,8-01-3-one.

(b) 4 methyl 17;8hydr0xy-4-andr0steno [2.3-d1is0xazole can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxyrnethylene-4-methyl-4-androsten-17fi-o1-3-one.

Example 57 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4,J7a-dimethyl-4-andr0sten- 17B-0l-3-0ne can be prepared by replacement of the 17mmethyl-4-androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4,l7a-dimethy1-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one.

(b) 4,17 dimethyl-J7B-hydroxy-4-andr0steno[2.3-d] isoxazole can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene l70c-1116thYl-4-311d1'05tfi11-1713-01-3-0116 in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- hydroxymethylene 4,l7a-dimethyl-4-androsten-17 8-01-3- one.

Example 58 (a) Z-hydroxymethylene-I7a-ethynyl-4,6-androstadien- 17fl-ol-3-0ne can be prepared by replacementof the 17amethyl-4-androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17a-ethynyl-4,6-androstadien-l7B-ol-3-one;

(b) 1 7 a-ethynyl-J 7 B-hydroxy-4,6-androstadieno [2.3-d isoxazole [VH; R is H, R is C CH', X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3- one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2 hydroxymethylene-17a-ethynyl-4,6-androstadien-175- ol-3-one.

Example 59 (a) 2 hydroxymethyleneallopregnane-QBJ70;,21-triol- 3,20-dione 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-175-01-3- one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of allopregnane-6fi,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione ZO-monoethyL ene glycol ketal:

(b). 6B,17a,21 trilzydroxy-ZO-oxoallopregnano[2.3-d] isoxazole-20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-l7a-methyl-4- androsten-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molarequivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethyleneallopregnane- 28 6,8,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed wtih dilute hydrochloric acid to give 6,8,l7oc,2l trihydroxy 20 oxoallopregnano[2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 60 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 21-acetoxy-4-pregnene-l2a, ]7a-diol-3,20-dione 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methy1-4-androstenl7B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 21acetoxy-4-pregnene-12a,17a-diol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21 acetoxy-IZu,17u-dihydroxy-20-ox0-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxymethylene-17amethyl-4-androsten-175-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-Zlacetoxy 4 pregnene-12a,17a-diol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 21-acetoxy-12a,17a-dihydroxy- 20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3d]isoxazole.

Example 61 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-21-acetoxyall0pregnan-]7aol-3,12,20-trione 20-m0noethylene glycol ketal can be" prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17/3- ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 21 acetoxyallopregnan-l7a-ol-3,12,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21 acetoxy-I 7a-hydroxy-12,20-dioxoall0pregnano [2.3-d1isoxaz0le 20-m0noethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-lhmethyl-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hyclroxymethylenc-21- acetoxyallopregnan l7a-ol-3-l2,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 21-acetoxy-17a-hydroxy-12,20-di0x0- allopregnano[2.3-d]-isoxazole.

Example 62 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene-4,11-pregnadiene-3,20-di0ne 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the l7a-methyl 4-androsten-17/3-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent'amount of 4,11- pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZO-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 20 0x0 4,11 pregnaa'ieno[2.3-d]isoxaz0le 20- monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten- 17p-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-4,1l-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 20-oxo-4,llpregnadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 63 (a) 2 hydroxymethylerze 4 pregnen a ol 3,- 20-dione 20-morzoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-175-01-3- one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 17a hydroxy 20 0x0 4 pregnen0[2.3-d] isoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxy-methylene-l7a-methyl-4- androsten-17/3-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-4-pregnen-17aol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 17a-hydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is COCH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH Example 64 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 17a methyl 4 pregnene- 3,20-dz'one 20-m0noethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17ot-methyl-4-androsten-17 3-016- 2-9 one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 17a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 17a methyl 20 oxo 4 pregneao[2.3 d]z'soxazole ZO-monoethylene glycol keial can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene-17ct-methyl-4- pregnene-3,2D-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 17amethyl-ZO-oxol-pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 65 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 4 pregnen 6,8 ol 3,20- dione ZO-monoethylene glycol kezal can be prepared by replacement of the 17 3-rnethyl-4-androsten-1713-01-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnen-6B-ol-3,ZO-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 66 hydroxy 20 oxo 4 pregneno[2.3 d]isoxazole 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-hydroxyrnethylene-17a-methyl-4-an drosten-l7fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-4-pregnen-6,8- ol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 6fl-hydroxy- 20-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole.

Example 66 (a) 2 Hydroxymetlzylene 4 pregnene 7,8,11,8- diol-3,20-dione-20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepmed by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-175- ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnene-7,8,llfl-diol-3,20-dione ZO-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 7 3,115 dihydroxy 20- oxo 4 pregneno[2.3- d]isoxazole 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 2-l1ydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4- androstan-17fi-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-4-pregnene- 75,11B-diol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 7 3,11fi-dihydroxy-ZO-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3d]-isoxazole.

Example 67 (a) Z hydroxymethylene 12a chloro 4 pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,ZO-triorze 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 12a-chloro-4-pregnene-170:,21-di0l- 3,11,20-trione ZO-mOnoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 120: clzloro 170:,21 dihydroxy 11,20 dioxo- 4-pregneno[2.3-d1-isoxazole ZO-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of Z-hydroxymethylene 12 chloro 4 pregnene 170:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 12achloro 1711,21 dihydroxy 11,20 dioxo 4 pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole.

Example 68 (a)2 lzydrox'ymethylene 18,19 bisnor 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 20-monoerhylene glycol kctal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-rnethyl-4-androsten-17fiol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of l8,19-bisnor-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 20 x0 18,19 bisnor 4 pregneno[2.3-d] isoxazole 20-monoerhyleize glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxy-methylene-17a-methyl- 4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-18,19- bisnor-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione 20-monoetnylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid 3% to give ZG-oxo-l8,19-bisnor-4-pregneno[2.3-d1isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is COCH X is H Z is H, Y and Y are H].

Example 69 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 21 acetoxy 4 bromo 4-pregnen-17ct-ol-3,11,20-trlone ZO-monoethylene glycol kezal can be prepared by replacement of the 17 a-methyl- 4-androsten-17B-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 21-acetoxy-4-bromo-4-pregnen-17a-ol-3,11,2Q-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 21 acetoxy 4 bromo 17cc hydroxy 11,20- dioxo-4-pregneno[2.3-d] isoxazole 20-m0n0ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androstan-175-01-3-0ne in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene 21 acetoxy 4 bromo 4 pregnen- 17a-0l-3,11,20-trione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed With dilute hydrochloric acid to give 21 acetoxy 4 bromo 17cc hydroxy 11,20 dioxo- 4-pregneno[2.3-d1isoxazole.

xample 70 (a) 2 hydroxymerlzylene 4 pregneize 70:,1Zadial-3,20-dione ZO-zrzonoetlzylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methyl-4-androsten-176- ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 4-pregnene-7a,12a-diol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 7a,]2a dihydroxy 20 oxo 4 pregneno[2.3- d1isoxazole ZO-monoetlzylene glycol ketol can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-Uamethyll-androsten--01-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethylene-4- pregnene-7a,l2a-diol-3,20-dione 20-m0noethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 7a,12a-dihydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno [2.3-d1isoxazole.

Example 71 (a) 2 hydroxymethyleneallopregnane 3,7,20 Zrione 7,2G-bis(ezhylene glycol ketal) can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-rnethyl-4-audrosten-17,8-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of allopregnane-3,7,2G-trione 7,20-bis(ethylene glycol ketal) (prepared by ketalization of allopregnan-SB-ol-ZZO-dione and ox dation by the Oppenauer procedure).

(1)) 7,20-dioxoallopregnano[2.3-d]isoxazole 7,20-bz's- (ethylene glycol ketal) can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-4-androsten-17,8- ol-S-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2-hydroxymethyleneallopregnane-3,7,20-trione 7,20-bis(ethylene glycol ketal), and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 7,20-dioxoallopregnano- [2.3-d]isoxazole.

Example 72 (a) 2-formyl-9a-flaoro-16a methyl 1,4 pregnadz'ene- 11 {i17a,21-triol-3,20-dioae 20-monoethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 17a-methy1-4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of 9a-fiuoro-l6zx-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l1,8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione ZO-rnoucethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 9a-flzioro-16a-methyl 11,8,Z7oc,21 trihydroxy-ZO- cam-(1,3)S-pregnatrieno[2.3-d]isoxazole ZO-etlzylene glycol lcetal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-17,8-ol-3 one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2 formyl 9oz fiuoro 16c: methyl 1,4 pregnadiene- 115,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 9ct-tluoro-l6a-methyl-11B, 17a, 21 trihydroxy 2O 0x0- 1,3) 5-pregnatrieno[2.3-d1isoxazole.

31 Example 73 21 -tril-3,20-dione 20-m0noethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the 170c-methyl-4-androsten- 17/3-0l-3-one in Example 1, part (a) by a molar equivalent amount of '60i,90-difiuoro-1,4-pregnadiene-11,8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal.

(b) 611,90: difluoro 11B,17 c,21 trihydroxy 20 0x0- (1,3)-pregnatrien0[2.3-d1is0xaz0le 20- ethylene glycol ketal can be prepared by replacement of the Z-hydroxymethylene 17a methyl-4-androsten-17fl-ol-3-one in Example 1, part (b) by a molar equivalent amount of 2- formyl-60t,9a-difluoro-1,4-pregnadiene-11,8, 1700,21 triol- 3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, and then hydrolyzed with dilute hydrochloric acid to give 60,9u-dlfilloro 115,170z,21 trihydroxy 20 oxo (1,3)5 pregnatrieno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methods previously described:

Example 74 60:,1700 dimethyl 17B lzydr0xyandr0stan0[2.3 -d]- isoxazole, M.P. 161.4-166.2 C. (corr.), [a] =47.8 :04" (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 228 In, (E=4,800).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 76.92; H, 9.68; N, 4.08. Found: C, 77.04; H, 9.75; N, 3.99.

Example 75 17B hydroxy 1700 propyl 4 andr0sten0[2.3 d]- isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is (CH CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH M.P. 122.6127.8 C. (corn), [0t] =+79.7i0.2 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 286 III/1. (E=10,200).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO N, 3.94; O, 9.00. Found: N, 3.82; O, 9.15.

Example 76 1700-allyl-17,8 lzydroxy 4 androsteno [2.3-d] isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is CH CH=CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH M.P. l52.2156.0 C. (corr), [011 =85.0i0.1 (1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 286 m (E=12,200).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 78.14; H, 8.84; O, 9.05. Found: C, 78.37; H, 8.82; O, 9.10.

Example 77 175 hydroxy 17a propargyl 4 androsteno [23-11]- isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is CH CECH, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH pale yellow prisms, M.P. 182.0187.6 C. (corn), [oa] =+72.6 (1 in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 285 m (E=11,227).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 78.59; H, 8.32; N, 3.99. Found: C, 78.27; H, 8.06; N, 3.97.

Example 78 Example 79 17,8 hydroxy 170C propynyl 4 andr0sten0[2.3-d]- isoxazole [VI; R is H, R is CECCH3, X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH obtained with one molecule of ethanol of crystallization, M.P. 138.6-144.2 C. (corn), [ab-"* =8.3 1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 284 mp (13:9,600).

32 Analysis.-Calcd. for C H NO C H OH: C, 75.52; H, 8.87; O, 12.07. Found: C, 75.50; H, 8.53; O, 12.30.

Example 1 7p-hydr0xy-1 7 a-propylandrostano [2.3-d isoxazole [V; R is H, R is CH CH CH X is H Z is OH, Y and Y are CH Colorless elongated prisms, M.P. 163.2l68.2 C. (corn), [a] =+3l.9 1% in chloroform); ultraviolet maximum at 224 m (13:4,000).

Analysia-Calcd. for C H NO C, 77.27; H, 9.87; O, 8.95. Found: C, 77.55; H, 9.69; O, 8.65.

Example 81 1713 hydroxy 17a methyl 19 nor 4 androsteno- [2.3-d]isoxaz0le [VI; R is H, R is CH X is H Z is OH, Y is H, Y is CH pale yellow needles, M.P. 158.0- 165.4 C. (corn), [a] =-44.9 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H No C, 76.64; H, 8.69; N, 4.47. Found: C, 76.57; H, 8.63; N, 4.44.

175 hydroxy 1700 methyl 19 nor 4 androsteno- [2.3-d]isoxazole was found to possess anabolic activity and myotrophic activity with'a low degree of androgenic activity; and it also was found to possess a high degree of progestational activity when administered intramuscularly to estrogen-primed immature female rabbits at a dose level of 2.0 tug/kg.

Example 82 17,8 hydroxy-I 7 a-propynylandrostano [2.3 -d is'oxazole Example 83 (a) 2 hydroxymehylene 900 fluoro 4 pregnen e- 11fi,1700,21-tri0l 3,20 dione 17,20,'20,21-bismethylenea'ioxy derivative was prepared from 8.54 g. of i-fluorohydrocortisone l7,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy derivative, 24 ml. of ethyl formate and 1.2 g. of sodium hydride in benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a).

(b) 900 fluoro 11B,1700,21 trihydroxy 20 0x0 4 pregneno [2.3-d] isoxazole 1 7,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy derivative was prepared from 6.2 g. of Z-hydroxymethylene-9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-11fi,170c,21-triol-3,20-dione 17, 20;20,21-bismethylenedioxy derivative, 2.00 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 2.00 g. of fused sodium acetate in acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). The product was obtained in the form of a pale yellow solid, M.P. 280- 290 C. (uncorr.) when recrystallized from a benzeneethanol mixture.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H FNO C, 64.43; H, 6.76. Found: C, 64.78; H, 6.70.

(c) 21 acetoxy 9a fluoro 11 6,1700 dihydroxy- 20-0x0-4-pregneno [2.3-d]z's0xaz0le was prepared from 1.25 g. of 90t-fiuoro-115,1701,21Jrihydroxy-20-oxo-4-preg neno[2.3-d]isoxazole 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy derivative, 40 ml. of acetic acid and 4 ml. of perchloric acid, seven hours at room temperature. The product was isolated and acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine and recrystallized from methanol to give 2l-acetoxy-90t-fiuoro 11,8,170: dihydroxy 20 oxo 4 pregneno[2.3-d]- isoxazole, yellow crystals, M.P. 204-2272 C. (decL) (corn), [d] +157.6 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.-Calc,d. for C H FNO C, 64.43; H, 6.76; F, 4.25; N, 3.13. Found: C, 64.27; H, 6.80; F, 4.34; N, 3.02.

Example 84 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 4 pregnene 1113,1700 triol- 3,20-di0ne J7,20,20,21-bismethylenedi0xy derivative 33 was prepared from 12.6 g. of hydrocortisone 17,20;20,21- bismethylenedioxy derivative, 22 ml. of ethyl formate and 2.2 g. of sodium hydride in benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, P

(b) 1 1 5,1 711,21 lrihydroxy 2O x0 4 pregneno- [2.3-d1z's0xaz0le 17,20,'20,21-bismethylenedioxy derivative was prepared from 10.6 g. of 2-hydroxymethylene-4- pregnene l1B,17a,2l triol 3,20-dione l7,20;20,21-bismethlenedioxy derivative, 2.5 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 2.5 g. of fused sodium acetate in acetic acid according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b). There was thus obtained 5.1 g. of 11B,l7a,21-trihydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3- d]isoxazole 17,20;20,21 -bismethylenedioxy derivative, M.P. 271-274 C. (uncorr.) when recrystallized from a benzene-ethanol mixture.

(0) 1 15,1 711,21 trihydroxy 20 0x0 4 pregneno- [2.3-d1is0xaz0le [VI; R is H, R is COCH OH, X is (H) (OH), Z is OH, Y and Y are CH was prepared from 5.1 g. of 115,l7a,21-trihydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno- [2.3-d]isoxazole 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy derivative, 200 ml. of acetic acid and 20 ml. of perchloric acid, five hours at room temperature. The resulting product was treated with a solution of potassium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol to hydrolyze any 21-ester produced, and the product purified by chromatography on silica gel to give 115,17a,21-trihydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3-d]- isoxazole, pale cream prisms from ethyl acetate-benzene, M.P. 226.8236 C. (Corn), [a]; =+145.4 (1% in chloroform).

Alzalysz's.Calcd. for C H NO C, 68.19; H, 7.54; N, 3.62. Found: C, 67.99; H, 7.59; N, 3.77.

Example 85 (a) 2 hydroxymethylene 4,4 dimethyl 5 pregnene-3,20-di0ne 20-mon0ethylene glycol ketal was prepared from 4,4-dimethyl-5-pregnene-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal, ethyl formate and sodium hydride in benzene according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (a). The product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate as a peach-colored solid and had the M.P. 182.2-183.4 C. (corn), [a] =14.6 (1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 75.32; H, 9.24; O, 15.44. Found: C, 75.00; H, 9.55; O, 15.70.

(b) 4,4-dimethyl 20 0xo-5-pregneno [2.3-d]z's0xaz0le was prepared from 2-hydroxyrnethylene-4,4-dimethyl-S- pregnene-3,20-dione 20-monoethylene glycol ketal and hydroxylarnine hydrochloride according to the manipulative procedure described above in Example 1, part (b), followed by cleavage of the ketal group by heating with dilute ethanolic hydrochloric acid. The product was obtained in the form of colorless crystals, M.P. 161.2l63.8 C. (corn) when recrystallized from ethylene acetate, [a] =+31.6 (1% in colorform).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H NO C, 78.43; H, 9.05; N, 3.81. Found: C, 78.34; H, 8.92; N, 3.82.

Example 86 17/3 hydroxy 17a methyl 1,3,5 estratrz'eno[2.3- d]-is0xaz0le can be prepared by heating 17,8-hydroxy- 17u-methyl-l9-nor-4-androsteno [2.3-d1isoxazole (Example 81) with palladium catalyst; or by bromination of the latter compound at the -position by means of N- bromosuccinimide, followed by dehydrobromination by heating with collidine or with lithium chloride in dimethylforma'nide solution.

The following compounds can also be prepared by the procedures descriped hereinabove:

Example 87 7a acetylthio 17a (B carboxyethyl) 175 hydr0xy-4-andr0steno[23-d]isoxazole 17-lacet0ne from 3- (3 oxo 7a acetylthio 17B hydroxy e, 4 androsten- 17a-yl)-propionic acid lactone.

34 Example 88 18 formyl 1113,21 dihydroxy 20 0x0 4 pregneno [2.3-d] -is0xaz0le 11,18-lact0l from aldosterone.

Example 89 6a-fluor0-20-0x0-4-pregneno[2.3-d1is0xaz0le from 60:- fluoro-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

Example 90 6-flu0r0-20-0x0-4,6-pregnadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole from 6-fluoro-4,6-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione.

Example 91 170: methyl 175 hydroxy 19 nor 4,9 androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxaz0le from 17a-methyl-1'9-nor-4,9-androstadien-17fi-ol-3-one.

Example 92 713,17a dimethyl 17B hydroxy 4 andr0sten0[2.3- d]is0xaz0le from 7B,17a-dimethyl-4-androsten-17 8-01-3- one (7B,17a-dimethyltestosterone) Example 93 5 methyl 11fi,17oc,21 trihydroxy 20 oxopregnano- [2.3-d1isoxaz0le from 5-methyl-17a,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxypregnan-l 1 B-o1-3-one.

Example 94 10a methyl 9B H 20 0x0 19 nor 4,6 pre nadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole from 10a-methyl-9B-H-l9-nor- 4,6-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione.

Example 95 10a methyl 9B H 17B hydroxy 19 nor 4,6- androstadieno [2.3-d1is0xaz0le from l0a-methyl-9B-H-l9- nor-4,6-androstadien-17fl-ol-3-one.

Also within the purview of [the invention are isoxazole derivatives of D-homosteroids. The following such compounds can be prepared by procedures analogous to those described hereinabove:

Example 96 17a-0xa-17-0x0-D-h0m0-4-andr0steno [2.3-d] isoxazole from testololactone.

Example 97 20-0x0-D-h0m0-4-pregnen0[2.3-d]isoxazole from D- homo-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (D-homoprogresterone).

Example 98 17,8-hydr0xy-D homo 4 androsteno[2.3-d1isoxazole from D-homo-4-androsten-17,8-01-3-one (D-hornotestosterone).

Example 99 17a-methyl-17B hydroxy-D-hom0androstano[2.3-d] isoxazole from 17a-methyl-D-homoandrostan-17p-ol-3-one.

Example 100 1 7-hydr0xy-(1 ,3 androstadieno [2.3 -d -3 methylisoxazole can be prepared from Z-acetylandrostan-17fl-ol-3-one (Example l2(b)) by brominating the latter with bromine in pyridine to give the 2-bromo derivative, M.P. 119.0- 121.0 C. (corn). [a] =+163.8 (1% in chloroform), dehydrobrominating the latter with collidine to give 2- acetyl-1-androsten-17,8-01-3 -one, followed by reaction with hydroxylamine in the usual manner.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our prior copending application, Serial No. 750,289, filed July 23, 1958, now abandoned.

We claim:

1. A steroido[2.3-d]isoxazole, the steroid moiety having from seventeen to about twenty-three carbon atoms exclusive of ester radicals and being selected from the group consisting of the estrane, l8-norestrane, androstane, etiocholane, pregnane and allopregnane series.

35 2. A compound selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and Z represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the hydroXy radical, Z being restricted to hydroxy when R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and loWer-alkynyl radicals; (B) carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms and having a molecular weightless than about 250; (C) acid-addition salts thereof; and (D) quaternary ammonium salts thereof.

3. A compound selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl radicals; R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl radicals, loWer-alkenyl radicals, lower-alkynyl radicals, the acetyl radical, the hydroxyacetyl radical, the 1,2-dihydroxylethyl radical and the. l-hydroxyethyl radical; X represents a member of the group consisting of H (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member of the [group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and

wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and loWer-alkyl radicals; R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl radicals, lower-alkenyl radicals, loWer-alkynyl radicals,

' (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member of the '36 r the acetyl radical, the hydroxyacetyl radical, the 1,2-dihydroxylethyl radical and the 'l-hydroxyethyl radical; X represents a member of the group consisting of H group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and Z represents a member of the group consisting of hydro- .gen and the hydroxy radical, Z being restricted to hydroxy when R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and lower-alkynyl radicals; (B) carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms and having a molecular weight less than about 250; (C) acid-addition salts thereof; and (D) quaternary am monium salts thereof.

5. A 17B-substituted andro st-4-eno(2,3-d)-isoxazole represented by the formula 1 o5 WI .Wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the alkanoyl radicals of lower hydro carbon carboxylic acids.

6. 17,8-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d]-isoxazole.

7. 17,8-propionoxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

8. 1713-hydroxy-17a-methylandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole.

9. 17 fi-hydroxy-4,4, 17a-t1imethyl-5-androsteno [2.3-d] isoxazole.

10. 17,8-hydroXy-17a-methyl-19-norandrostano[2.3-d] isoxazole.

1 1. l7fi-acetoxyandrostano [2.3-d] -isoxazole.

12. 17,8-acetoXyr4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

13. 17B-hydroxy-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

14. 17 8-hydroXy-17a-methyl-4,6-androstadieno[2.3-d]- isoxazole.

15. 17a-ethynyl-17,8-hydroxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d1isoxazole.

16. 20-oXo-4-pregneno[2.3-d]isoXazole.

17. 6a,17a-dimethyl-17,6-hydroxy-4-androsteno[ZS-d] isoxazole.

18. 17;8-hydroxy- 17cc ethynylandrostano [2.3-d]isoxazole.

19. l7a-allyl-l7 8-hydroxy 4 androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

20. 17fl-hydroxyandrostano[2.3-d]isoxazole.

21. 17fi-hydroXy-17a propynyl-4-androsteno[2.3-d1isoxazole.

22. 17fi-hydroXy-17umethyl-l9-nor-4-androsteno [2.3- dJisoxazole.

23. 17p- 3-cyclohexylpropionoxy) androstano [2.3-d] isoxazole.

24. 17fl-hydroxy-4-androsteno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

25. 17,8-(4-chlorophenoxyacetoxy)-4 androsteno[2.3- dJisoxazole.

26. 17,8- (4-chlorophenoxyacetoxy) androstano [2 3-d] isoxazole.

27. 11(3,17a,2l-trihydroxy-20-oxo-4-pregneno[2.3-d]isoxazole.

28. The process for preparing an isoxazole compound fused through its'4- and 5-positions to the 2- and 3-posi- I 29. The process for preparing a compound selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl radicals; R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, loWer-alkyl radicals, lower-alkenyl radicals, lower-alkynyl radicals, ketalized acetyl radicals, ketalized hydroxyacetyl radicals, the 1,2-dihydroxyethyl radical and the l-hydroxyethyl radical; X represents a member of the group consisting of H (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member 20 f the group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and Z represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the hydroxy radical, Z being restricted to hydroxy when R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and lower-alkynyl radicals; and (B) carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms and having a molecular weight less than about 250, which comprises reacting a compound having the formula wherein R, R, X, Z, Y and Y are identical with their selection above, with a member of the group consisting of hydroxylamine and acid-addition salts thereof in the absence of a strong acid.

30. The process for preparing .a compound selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl radicals; R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl radicals, lower-alkenyl radicals, lower-alkynyl radicals, ketalized acetyl radicals, ketalized hydroxyacetyl radicals, the 1,2-dihydroxyethyl radical and the l-hydroxyethyl radical; X represents a member of the group consisting of H (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member 5 of the group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and Z represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the hydroxy radical, Z being restricted to hydroxy when R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and 7 lower-alkynyl radicals; and (B) carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms and having a molecular weight less than about 250, which comprises reacting a compound having the formula wherein R, R, X, Z, Y and Y are identical with their selection above, with a member of the group consisting of hydroxylamine and acid-addition salts thereof in the absence of a strong acid.

31. The process for preparing a compound selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula wherein R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower-alkyl radicals; R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl radicals, lower-alkenyl radicals, lower-alkynyl radicals, ketalized acetyl radicals, ketalized hydroxyacetyl radicals, the 1,2-dihydroxyethyl radical and the l-hydroxyethyl radical; X represents a member of the group consisting of H (H) (OH) and O; Y and Y represent a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the methyl radical; and Z represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and the hydroxy radical, Z being restricted to hydroxy when R represents a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, lower-alkyl, lower-alkenyl and lower-alkynyl radicals; and (B) carboxylic acid esters thereof derived from carboxylic acids having from one to about ten carbon atoms and having a molecular weight less than about 250, which comprises reacting a compound having the formula wherein R, R, X, Z, Y and Y are identical with their selection above, with a member of the group consisting of hydroxylamine and acid-addition salts thereof in the absence of a strong acid.

32. The process for preparing 17,8-hydroxy-17a-methyl- 4-androsteno [2.3-d1isoxazole which comprises reacting Z-hydroxymethylene 17oz methylandrostan-l7fi-ol-3-one with a member of the group consisting of hydroxylamine and acid-addition salts thereof in the absence of a strong acid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,035,068 Bowers et a1 May 15, 1962 3,052,693 Engelfried et al Sept. 4, 1962 3,063,990 Kuehne Nov. 13, 1962 3,100,771 Manson Aug. 13, 1963 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFIcE a CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,135,743 June 2, 1964 Raymond 0. Clinton et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, lines 31 to 39, formula (II) should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 4, lines 9 to 20, the lower left-hand portion of formula (VIII) should appear HSQShOWH' below instead of as in the patent:

H II column 9, line 73, for H NO read (3 1-1 910 column 10, lines 41 and 42, strike out "ethyl acetate, and the ethyl acetate extracts were washed with"; column ll,

line 63, for "N, 9,15" read a, 9615 column 13, line 16, for "l-toluenesulfonic" read p-tolu:enesulfonic column 14,

line 41, for "2 cyandrostan-" read 2 -cyanoandrostan- 

2. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF (A) COMPOUNDS HAVING THE FORMULA 